Newsletters
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Sunday that nuclear weapons are the “cornerstone” of Russia’s national security, according to Russian media outlet Vesti.
Peskov said Russia’s nuclear arsenal protects the country from threats to its existence and forms the basis of nuclear deterrence.
“A nuclear power cannot be threatened; its existence cannot be threatened. This is what gives us the opportunity to be confident in this, and this is the basis of nuclear deterrence,” he said.
Peskov’s remarks came after Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier this week that Russia had developed nuclear capabilities with “no counterparts in the world” as Moscow continues modernizing its nuclear deterrence forces.
Putin said Russia accelerated the development of advanced weapons systems after the U.S. withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002.
“That is why Russia began developing advanced systems with no counterparts in the world, capable of guaranteed penetration of existing and future missile defense systems,” Putin said.
He made the comments during a video conference with Strategic Missile Forces Commander Sergey Karakayev focused on the successful test of the Sarmat missile.
Commenting on relations with Europe, Peskov said growing discussion within the EU about possible negotiations with Russia marks a “major shift” and is in Moscow’s interests.
“This active discussion of this topic, the shift towards the idea that someday we will have to talk to the Russians – this is good,” Peskov said.
He said Russia was not responsible for the breakdown in dialogue with Europe and is interested in rebuilding ties.
Speaking about a possible EU negotiator for talks with Russia, Peskov referred to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and said it is “in her interests not to be a negotiator with Russia.”
“If you recall, Putin said that it could be anyone who hasn’t said a lot of bad things,” he added.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
1 min read
