Russia against use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Lavrov says
- The foreign minister said Russia and the US last year agreed ‘there must be no nuclear war, don’t even think about it’
- Western intelligence officials have warned that Moscow might use tactical nuclear weapons if its war in Ukraine continues to struggle
Lavrov made the comments in an interview on Tuesday with India Today TV in which he avoided a direct answer on the subject. He isn’t responsible for military decision-making.
Russia and the US issued a statement last year in which they agreed “there must be no nuclear war, don’t even think about it,” Lavrov said. In January, Russia and the other four permanent members of the United Nations Security Council adopted a similar stance, he added.
Western intelligence officials have warned that the Kremlin might turn to tactical or other limited nuclear weapons from its arsenal if its invasion of Ukraine continues to struggle.
In the interview, Lavrov said Russia’s military operation has entered a new phase and will continue. Ukraine said the Kremlin started a new offensive in the Donbas region of the country overnight.
