The Russian Federation can use nuclear weapons if its security is threatened. But it believes that diplomatic negotiations are the most appropriate path, including with regard to Ukraine.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of the Russian Security Council, said this in an interview for RIA Novosti.
"Russia is not an ordinary state, but a state that is a permanent member of the UN Security Council... Russia is a nuclear power, the owner of the most powerful stockpile of nuclear weapons, a strategic arsenal. Naturally, no one threatens anyone with anything... The strategic potential of our country was put in a special mode, just so everyone understands the threats that other states will face if they try to influence the course of our country," he noted.
According to him, there is a document that specifies the grounds under which Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons.
"The first is when there is a missile strike on Russia using nuclear weapons. The second case is other use of nuclear weapons against Russia or its allies. The third case is an attack on critical infrastructure, resulting in the paralysis of our nuclear deterrent forces. And the fourth is when an act of aggression is committed against the Russian Federation or its allies, as a result of which the very existence of this country is threatened. even without the use of nuclear weapons," Medvedev stressed.
As for Ukraine, in his opinion, the most correct way is through negotiations.
"Obviously, we proceed from the fact that negotiations, diplomatic efforts in the most difficult situations like the one around Ukraine are still the best and the right way. Another thing is that these negotiations are not always successful, but it is necessary to follow this path," he added.
We shall remind you that Medvedev said earlier that Putin had personally prepared and approved a plan for an invasion of Ukraine.
