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| Russia Says It Will Use Nuclear Weapons Only for Defence |
Moscow - The use of Russian nuclear weapons may occur exclusively in exceptional circumstances and will be possible only for defensive purposes. This was stated by a spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, at a press conference on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Petersburg.
“Russia's nuclear deterrence policy is very defensive. The hypothetical use of nuclear weapons is clearly limited by exceptional circumstances within the framework of strictly defensive goals," Zakharova said.
According to Zakharova, Moscow is fully committed to the principle of the inadmissibility of nuclear war. Also Read IAEA Head Calls Zaporizhzhia NPP Situation Serious But Stable "We consistently call on all parties to make a joint statement from the leaders of the five nuclear countries on the prevention of nuclear war and an arms race that is unacceptable to comply with." this postulate," Zakharova emphasized.
At the same time, he did not rule out that Russia's decision to suspend the strategic arms reduction treaty (New START) could be reversed. “In that case, yes. Only if Washington shows the political will and exerts efforts to defuse tensions and de-escalate tensions and create conditions for the resumption of the full functioning of the agreement," added Zakharova.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 21 that Moscow was suspending its participation in New START, but did not withdraw altogether. He stressed that before returning to discuss further operations of the agreement. Russia wants to realize how this document will take into account the arsenal of not only the United States, but also the other NATO nuclear powers - Britain and France.
On March 1, Putin signed a law suspending Russia's participation in the New START.