The Kremlin, via spokesman Dmitry Peskov, denied any Russian intention to use nuclear weapons and accused European commentators of stoking alarm. He said references to a looming Russian nuclear strike were "completely inappropriate" and pointed to doctrine that defines conditional, defensive use of certain weapons. The remarks come amid heightened tensions over NATO manoeuvres near Kaliningrad, with Moscow warning it could use all available forces, including nuclear arms, to defend the region if it were isolated.
Kremlin Denies Plans To Use Nuclear Weapons, Blames European Alarmism
FILE PHOTO - Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual end-of-year press conference. (is associated with: «Kremlin spokesman says Russia has no plans to use nuclear weapons») -/Kremlin Press Office/dpa
The Kremlin reiterated that Russia has no intention of using nuclear weapons, spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Thursday.
"It is the Europeans who are contemplating the use of nuclear weapons by Russia," Peskov said, accusing commentators and officials in Europe of stoking unnecessary fear.
Peskov urged European leaders and the public to "rein in their emotions and look at things objectively," saying references to an imminent Russian nuclear threat were "completely inappropriate." He noted that Russia's military doctrine does set out conditions under which certain types of weapons might be used, but framed those provisions strictly as defensive measures.
"Everything serves a single purpose — the protection of the territorial integrity and the very existence of the Russian state itself," Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian state news agencies.
Context: Kaliningrad and NATO Tensions
The comments follow Moscow's accusation that a recent NATO manoeuvre represented an "unprecedented escalation of the military-political situation around the Russian region of Kaliningrad." In that context, Russian officials warned that if NATO attempted to isolate Kaliningrad from the rest of Russia, Moscow was prepared "to deploy the entire arsenal of armed forces and capabilities at its disposal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory."
Analysts say such statements are aimed at deterring further military pressure around strategically sensitive areas. While Moscow stresses the conditional and defensive nature of its doctrine, the rhetoric has heightened tensions between Russia and NATO states.
Attribution: Remarks reported by Russian state news agencies.
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