Changes in Russia’s Nuclear Rhetoric
Changes in Russia’s Nuclear Rhetoric

Author(s): Artur Kacprzyk
Subject(s): Security and defense, Military policy, Politics and communication, Peace and Conflict Studies, Russian Aggression against Ukraine
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: Russia; nuclear weapons; rhetoric; threats; Ukraine; war;
Summary/Abstract: On 28 March, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for Vladimir Putin, ruled out the use of nuclear weapons during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This apparent softening of rhetoric regarding nuclear weapons does not mean, however, that Russia will stop using nuclear threats. Russia’s aim is still to maintain ambiguity regarding the actual threshold for use of nuclear weapons. While the danger of nuclear escalation would be real in the event of a NATO-Russia conflict, both NATO and Russia want to avoid such a development. The Russian threats should therefore not stop the West from increasing arms deliveries to Ukraine and imposing further sanctions.

• Details
• Contents