A senior official in the Russian government body overseeing defense policy expressed strong doubts about US plans to respond to any potential use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. The remarks were relayed by media outlets as reflecting a growing tension between Moscow and Washington over how a nuclear cover could be interpreted in a regional crisis.
The deputy chairman pointed to United States statements that hinted at Moscow possibly employing weapons of mass destruction, labeling those discussions as absurd and unfounded. He stressed that Russia has not attacked, has no intention to use nuclear arms against anyone, and is currently not preparing for such an outcome. Yet he warned that Russia would maintain full combat readiness of its nuclear forces in light of what he described as aggressive postures from Western nations with WMD capabilities.
According to the official, talking about a Russian strike on Ukraine amounts to the rhetoric of a madman. He argued that such talk reflects a level of hysteria among Western leaders rather than any practical strategic planning.
The parliamentarian also commented on what he characterized as an attempt by the United States to legitimize its own nuclear deterrent in case of a broader confrontation. He suggested Washington could exploit the situation to justify a first strike scenario against Russian territory in a crisis scenario, casting a shadow over regional and global risk management.
Recent reporting by major media indicated that senior American officials have been developing contingency plans in the event that Russia deploys nuclear weapons. The discussions described non-nuclear retaliation options in response to such actions, with the aim of sending a strong demonstrate-and-deter message to Moscow. Reporters noted that the United States expects a pronounced and visible reaction should the situation escalate further. [Citation: Lenta.ru summary of reporting on US contingency planning]
Earlier Kremlin officials had weighed in on when and how a country could consider using nuclear weapons in a regional conflict, emphasizing that such measures would be a last resort and highly contingent on the specifics of any crisis. The exchange illustrates the delicate balance governments seek between deterrence, diplomacy, and crisis management in a landscape where nuclear rhetoric can have outsized effects on global stability. [Citation: Kremlin statements on nuclear policy and crisis scenarios]