Vladimir Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked on the "inevitable" use of nuclear weapons in an attempt to downplay the Russian president's latest nuclear warning to the United States.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, sparked concerns about whether Moscow could deploy nuclear weapons if the war did not go in its favor. Those concerns have been fueled by comments from Russian authorities and media pundits, who largely align with Putin on the conflict. Other countries, including the U.S., have cautioned against such rhetoric amid concerns it could escalate the conflict.
Putin added to those concerns with fresh remarks during an interview with state-run TV channel Russia-1 and news agency RIA Novosti on Tuesday.
"We are ready to use weapons, including any weapons—including the [nuclear] weapons you mentioned—if it is a question of the existence of the Russian state or damage to our sovereignty and independence," Putin said.
His remarks drew rebuke from the Biden administration, with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre saying the president is "aware" of Putin's comments. Jean-Pierre said Russia's nuclear rhetoric has been "reckless and irresponsible throughout this conflict" and that the U.S. will continue supporting Ukraine.
Peskov responded to Jean-Pierre on Thursday, accusing the White House of a "deliberate distortion of context and unwillingness to hear President Putin."
Putin was "talking about the reasons that could make the use of nuclear weapons inevitable," Peskov said.
"He was answering the journalist's questions. These were exactly the journalist's questions, not any special statements by the president. The president was just talking about the reasons that could make the use of nuclear weapons inevitable. These are the reasons that are specified in our relevant documents, which are well known throughout the world," he said.
Newsweek reached out to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the White House for comment via email.
On Monday, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) said in its annual threat assessment that Moscow holds "the largest and most diverse nuclear weapons stockpile" and that Russia views its atomic weapons as "necessary for maintaining deterrence and achieving its goals in a potential conflict against the United States and NATO."
Concerns about nuclear weapons grew last month after French President Emmanuel Macron said "nothing should be excluded" when asked if the West should consider sending troops to Ukraine, which would be viewed as crossing Putin's red line that no Western troops should be fighting in Ukraine.
Macron later clarified his remarks, saying, "This does not mean that we are considering the possibility of sending French troops to Ukraine in the near future, but we are starting discussions and thinking about everything that can be done to support Ukraine, especially on Ukrainian territory."
Congressman Jim Himes, the Connecticut Democrat who serves as the ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee, said Wednesday he is not concerned about Putin's remarks.
"You know, I'm less concerned now," Himes said. "And the reason I'm less concerned is that, first of all, I think collectively the government believes that he would not use nuclear weapons unless he thinks that his own survival—his own personal survival, and his own regime survival—was at stake."
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Andrew Stanton is a Newsweek weekend reporter based in Maine. His role is reporting on U.S. politics and social issues. ... Read more
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