Peskov: Russia has no plans to use nuclear weapons

MOSCOW, October 1 /ATSH-DPA/ — Russia has no plans to use nuclear weapons, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared today.

“It is the Europeans who are examining the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons,” said Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to him, this is being used to stir fear and alarm in Europe.

Peskov called on European countries to control their emotions and view the situation objectively.

“Mentioning any kind of threat is completely inappropriate,” he said.

Peskov acknowledged that Russia has official military documents which clearly define the circumstances under which Russia may use certain types of weapons, including nuclear weapons.

However, according to him, the purpose of these rules is only the defence of the territory and of the very existence of the Russian state.

A few days ago, Russia accused NATO of causing an “unprecedented escalation of the military and political situation” around the Russian region of Kaliningrad, in connection with a NATO military exercise.

Kaliningrad is a Russian territory located between Poland and Lithuania, separated from the rest of Russia’s territory.

At the same time, Moscow declared that it was ready to use all military forces and means at its disposal, including nuclear weapons, to defend its territory, in case NATO countries attempted to isolate Kaliningrad from the rest of Russia.