[The Epoch Times, March 23, 2022](Comprehensive report by The Epoch Times reporter Xu Jian) In the fierceRussian-Ukrainian WarAnd in the confrontation with Western society, the Kremlin said it would not rule out the use ofnuclear weaponswhich the United States condemned as “dangerous and irresponsible”.
In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was asked under what conditions Putin would usenuclear weapons. He said Russia might use nuclear weapons in the event of an “existential threat to the nation”.
“We have an open domestic security policy, and you can see all the reasons for using nuclear weapons. So if the country faces an existential threat, then it (the nuclear arsenal) can be used as a policy,” Peskov said.
In response, U.S. Defense Department spokesman John Kirby said Moscow’s remarks were “dangerous” and “not what a responsible nuclear power should do.” Russia has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world.
Kirby also said, however, that Pentagon officials “do not see anything that would cause us to change our strategic deterrence posture.”
As the standoff between Russia and NATO over Ukraine escalates, some nuclear strategists and former U.S. officials have warned that while the possibility of a nuclear conflict between the two sides is slim, it is growing, the New York Times reported. . Experts stress that the fear is not a deliberate escalation into war, but rather a misunderstanding or overdone provocation that might cause the situation to spiral out of control.
Last month, Putin ordered Russia’s nuclear forces to be put on high alert. According to the Russian media Interfax news agency (Interfax), Russia’s nuclear missile forces and the Northern and Pacific Fleet have increased combat readiness.
Last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that “the possibility of nuclear conflict, once unthinkable, is now possible once more.”
On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden will visit Europe and attend a meeting of NATO and G7 leaders. The U.S. and its allies are expected to announce a new round of confrontation with Russia.sanction。
Responsible editor: Lin Yan#
