Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Nuclear Weapons Would Be Used In Case Of Existential Threat, Says Kremlin

Kremlin spokesperson says Russia has a ‘concept of domestic security’ that defines when nuclear weapons can be used.

New Delhi: With Russia trying to occupy Mariupol amid its claims of taking over a strategic suburb of Kyiv, Kremlin spokesperson on Tuesday said Russia would only use nuclear weapons if it were facing an "existential threat."

What is Russia’s stance on using nuclear weapons?

"We have a concept of domestic security, and it's public. You can read all the reasons for nuclear arms to be used," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told CNN International, according to AFP report.

"So if it is an existential threat for our country, then it can be used in accordance with our concept," said Peskov after being probed by Christiane Amanpour on whether he was "convinced or confident" that President Vladimir Putin would not use the nuclear option in the Ukrainian context.

Soon after Russia’s military operation in Ukraine began, Putin on February 28 put the strategic nuclear forces on high alert escalating the crisis.

On Tuesday, two "super powerful bombs" hit Mariupol as Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy turned to Pope Francis for help, urging the pontiff to mediate in the conflict and to help end "human suffering", according to AP report.

US response to potential use of nuclear weapons  

Calling Moscow's rhetoric on potential use of nuclear weapons "dangerous", Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said, "It's not the way a responsible nuclear power should act."

Russia holds the maxiumum stockpile of nuclear warheads in the world, and has earned minimal support around the world for its attack on its ex-Soviet neighbour. Since Putin's announcement on nuclear weapons, western officials said there has been any significant sign of mobilisation of Russia's nuclear forces including strategic bombers, missiles and submarines.

While Moscow has clearly stated that if the United States and NATO allies supplied Ukraine with fighter jets, the situation could escalate and expand the war hinting at potential direct confrontation with nuclear-armed rivals in the West.

Earlier this month Beatrice Fihn, who leads the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, termed Putin's response on using nuclear as a "blackmail" to keep the international community from interfering in his Ukraine invasion.

"This is one of the scariest moments really when it comes to nuclear weapons," she said.