Russia Issues Nuclear Warning to West; Moscow Threatens Use of Nuclear Weapons

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) – International Service: Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, threatened Western nations early Thursday with the use of nuclear weapons.

 

In an interview with the *Vedomosti* newspaper, Medvedev stated that nuclear weapons could be employed under specific circumstances—namely, in the event of a serious threat to Russia's national security.

 

He explained: "Everyone must understand this... Russia's nuclear doctrine—under which our country reserves the right to use such weapons in the face of threats to national security—must not be underestimated. Significant amendments have been made to the principles of state policy on nuclear deterrence to clearly define the conditions under which Russia might use nuclear weapons."

 

Noting that the list of military threats triggering nuclear deterrence measures has also been expanded, the former Russian president added: "This is not a tactic of intimidation; it is reality."

 

Elsewhere in his remarks, Medvedev stated that Russia, too, wants the war in Ukraine to end as quickly as possible, but only on its own terms.

 

He said: "[The war] must end on our terms to prevent a recurrence in the future or its escalation into a global conflict. Is there such a possibility? Unfortunately, yes."

 

The Russian security official added: "If, for any reason, we do not seek to end the conflict on our own terms, it will flare up again." The reason is that our enemies will continue their efforts to undermine the foundations of our country and will seize every opportunity to fragment it.