Amidst heightened tensions between Russia and the West over the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has entered its fourth year with no clear resolution in sight, the Russian Federation had reaffirmed that nuclear weapons form the cornerstone of Russia’s national security, warning that no nuclear power can be credibly threatened or face existential danger.
According to a report made by Anadolu English on Sunday, 17 May, 2026, Dmitry Peskov in an interview with Russian media outlet Vesti, framed the country’s atomic arsenal as the ultimate guarantor of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying “A nuclear power cannot be threatened; its existence cannot be threatened.”
He also added that such reality forms the basis of nuclear deterrence, and provides Russia with the confidence to pursue its strategic objectives without fear of external attack, echoing a long-standing pillar of Russian military doctrine, which allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to a conventional strike that threatens the state’s existence.
Peskov also addressed Europe’s evolving posture toward the Russian Federation, noting that growing discussion within the European Union about the necessity of eventual negotiations represents a significant development, further saying “This active discussion of this topic — the shift towards the idea that someday we will have to talk to the Russians — this is good.”
When Dimitry Peskov was sked about the prospect of a designated EU negotiator for future talks with Russia, he pointed to the Foreign Policy Chief of the European Union, Kaja Kallas, offering a pointed assessment, saying “It is in her interests not to be a negotiator with Russia.”
He also recalled President Vladimir Putin’s recent remark that any potential negotiator could be anyone who hasn’t said a lot of bad things about Russia.
It was learned that, earlier this week, President Vladimir Putin while speaking during a video conference with Strategic Missile Forces Commander Sergey Karakayev following a successful test of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, underscored Russia’s nuclear modernization efforts, claiming the country has developed capabilities with no counterparts in the world.
He also said Russia accelerated its development of advanced weapons systems after the US withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002.
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