Putin's office reiterates readiness to use nuclear weapons under certain conditions
Photo: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov (Getty Images)
Russia has once again invoked the prospect of World War III and nuclear weapons as its supposed "trump cards," according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in an interview with Die Weltwoche.
Peskov speaks about World War III and nuclear weapons
The Kremlin spokesman said Russia would be prepared to use nuclear weapons only in one case — if its very existence were under threat.
He also claimed that Russia is achieving its objectives on the battlefield without resorting to nuclear escalation.
In addition, Peskov argued that Russia is "far too responsible" to start World War III. At the same time, he asserted that Russia has always responded to strikes in every conflict.
Other controversial statements by Putin's spokesman
The Kremlin official also offered four pieces of advice to Europe, urging it to:
- Stop viewing Russia as a threat;
- Stop ignoring Russia's concerns;
- Stop dismissing Russia;
- Resume dialogue as soon as possible.
Peskov on Russia's war against Ukraine
Peskov again promoted the Kremlin's narrative about the "successful special military operation" in Ukraine and claimed Russia's military actions were forced by what he described as threats from the West.
According to him:
- Kyiv's and the West's policies allegedly compel Russian forces to create a buffer zone along the border;
- The so-called special military operation was supposedly unavoidable because Europe and the United States refused to listen to Russia;
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should withdraw Ukrainian forces from territories claimed by Russia and legally recognize the situation on the ground.
Earlier, Dmitry Peskov said that the special military operation had initially been conceived as an operation but had turned into a real war due to what he described as Western involvement.
Peskov also commented on Zelenskyy's proposal to hold talks in Kostiantynivka in the Donetsk region. The Kremlin spokesman falsely claimed that the city had already come under Russian control.
