Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told CNN Tuesday that Russia will not use nuclear weapons in the context of the war with Ukraine unless it faces an "existential threat".

When asked whether he was confident that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Peskov indicated that "We have a concept of domestic security and it's public, you can read all the reasons for nuclear arms to be used."

"So if it is an existential threat for our country, then it (the nuclear arsenal) can be used in accordance with our concept," he confirmed.

In his statements, Peskov also affirmed that the Russian special military operation in Ukraine is "going on strictly in accordance with the plans and the purposes that were established before hand."

Asked about Peskov's statement, Pentagon Spokesperson John Kirby called Moscow's rhetoric on the potential use of nuclear weapons "dangerous."

Kirby pointed out that Pentagon officials "haven't seen anything that would lead us to conclude that we need to change our strategic deterrent posture."

Days after announcing a special military operation to "denazify" and "demilitarize" Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he had put Russia's strategic nuclear forces on high alert.