Russia rejects claims of nuclear threat, warns of escalation risks
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The Russian Foreign Ministry refutes accusations of nuclear threats, asserting its nuclear policy is strictly defensive, grounded in deterrence, and aligned with international obligations, while warning of the risks of escalation between nuclear powers.
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Russian Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Maria Zakharova (Russian Foreign Ministry)
Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, the Russian Foreign Ministry has firmly rejected accusations of nuclear threats, dismissing them as "deliberate anti-Russian lies." In a statement on Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reaffirmed that Russia’s nuclear policy remains strictly defensive and aligns with its international obligations.
"Russia is not threatening anyone with nuclear weapons, and any claims to the contrary are nothing more than deliberate anti-Russian lies. We treat the policy in the area of nuclear deterrence with the utmost seriousness and responsibility," Zakharova said.
She further added that Russia finds it necessary to caution against the risks of a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers and its potentially severe consequences, while also delivering "specific sobering signals" to reinforce these warnings.
Russia's doctrinal policies remain fundamentally defensive, clearly defining the exceptional circumstances under which the nation retains the right to use nuclear weapons in self-defense, Zakharova stated.
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The spokesperson noted that Russia's nuclear doctrine is firmly grounded in deterrence and strictly defensive. She clarified that the policy allows for the use of nuclear weapons only under extreme circumstances, such as in response to existential threats.
"Russia's official statements on the aforementioned issues do not go beyond the scope of these guidelines and are fully consistent with our country's international obligations. This is not the language of threats, but the classic logic of containment," she added.
Nuclear escalations
The remarks come amid heightened geopolitical tensions, as the West continues to escalate support for Ukrainian.
In November 2024, President Vladimir Putin approved significant changes to the country's nuclear policy. These amendments expanded the conditions under which Russia might consider the use of nuclear weapons, including scenarios involving conventional attacks that threaten the sovereignty or territorial integrity of Russia and its allies, such as Belarus.
This policy shift was a direct reaction to the US authorizing Ukraine to use US-supplied long-range missiles, such as the Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), to strike targets within Russian territory.
On a related note, a recent report by the Roscongress Foundation revealed that the US is set to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on upgrading its nuclear arsenal, including warheads, submarines, missiles, and bombers.
The US Department of Energy has allocated $138 billion for nuclear warhead modernization between fiscal years 2024 and 2049, with an additional $500 billion earmarked for stockpile management. In 2023 alone, the Pentagon received more than 200 upgraded nuclear warheads, marking the largest annual delivery since the Cold War.
Plans include replacing Ohio-class submarines with new Columbia-class carriers equipped with upgraded Trident II missiles, as well as the introduction of next-generation B-21 Raider bombers to replace aging B-52H and B-2A aircraft by 2050. These bombers will carry advanced nuclear bombs and AGM-181 Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) cruise missiles.
On December 1, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan dismissed speculation regarding the potential deployment of nuclear weapons to Ukraine.
"That is not under consideration. No," he said, countering claims made in a recent New York Times report suggesting that some US and European officials had raised the idea.
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