Kremlin Spokesman Peskov Acknowledges War with Ukraine for the First Time, Citing Nuclear Doctrine and Issuing Ultimatum to Kyiv.

Dmitry Peskov's Views on Nuclear Doctrine and Relations with the West

According to Espreso.tv: In an interview with the Swiss magazine Die Weltwoche, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for the Russian president, shared his perspectives on Russia's nuclear doctrine, Western involvement in the conflict, and ties with Europe and the United States. He stated that Russia operates under a nuclear doctrine with specific conditions for deploying atomic weapons, emphasizing that

“nuclear weapons will be used if something threatens the very existence of the Russian state”

Current State of the Conflict and Advice for Europe

In March 2024, Peskov admitted for the first time that Russia is 'in a state of war.' He explained that the confrontation began as a special operation but evolved into a war due to the involvement of the 'collective West.' The spokesman described Europe's stance on achieving a strategic defeat of Russia as 'the biggest mistake in history.' According to Peskov, relations between Russia and the United States are currently 'at rock bottom.'

Peskov also highlighted differences between the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders. He expressed hope that 'the president of Ukraine could end the war by making a 'very responsible decision.'' In his remarks, the press secretary reiterated that Russia poses no threat to Europe and called for a revival of dialogue.

Peskov offered four recommendations for Europe:

• acknowledge that Russia is not a threat to Europe;
• take Russian concerns into account;
• avoid ignoring these concerns to prevent complications;
• reestablish communication.

“We will continue to talk. And we welcome such an approach,” he added, urging constructive engagement.

These statements from Peskov reflect Russia's position in the current geopolitical landscape and underscore the need for dialogue among nations to find pathways to peaceful conflict resolution. Amid rising tensions between Russia and the West, monitoring future steps in their relationship is crucial, as they will determine regional stability and the potential for reviving peace efforts.