In an interview on March 22, Peskov refused to deny that Russia would consider using nuclear weapons to counter what Moscow considers an “existential threat.”
Asked under what conditions Putin would use his nuclear capability, Peskov said “if it is an existential threat to our country, then it is possible”.
Mr. Putin has previously suggested the possibility of using nuclear weapons against countries that he considers a threat to Russia.
“No matter who tries to block our way or create threats to our country and people, they must know that Russia will respond immediately, and the consequences will be something you have not seen yet. seen in its history”.
Later, during a meeting with Russian defense officials, Putin said he had instructed the Defense Minister and the Chief of the General Staff to put the Russian Deterrence Force on combat alert.
Asked what Putin thinks has been achieved in Ukraine so far, Mr. Peskov said: “Oh, first of all, not yet. He hasn’t made it yet.”
A Kremlin spokesman said the “special military operation” in Ukraine “is proceeding according to the previously determined plan and purpose”.
Peskov also reiterated Russia’s demands that the “main aim of the operation” was “to get rid of the military threat from Ukraine”, to ensure that Ukraine is a “neutral country”, to be free from “the forces of Ukraine”. nationalist”, for Ukraine to accept Crimea as part of Russia and to recognize the independence of two self-proclaimed republics in the Donbass region.
Peskov also asserted that Russia only attacks military targets, while the West accuses Russia of air strikes against civilian targets.
The interview comes as Western intelligence believes that the Russian military campaign is standing still in many Ukrainian cities.
