Asked if Russia could change nuclear testing stance Kremlin says: Listen to Putin on Ukraine

The Kremlin stated on Tuesday that individuals should revisit a warning from President Vladimir Putin, who indicated that the West would be engaging in direct conflict with Russia if Ukraine were permitted to launch strikes on Russian territory using Western-supplied long-range missiles. This remark was made during a conference call when questioned about whether allowing Kyiv to conduct such strikes could lead Moscow to reconsider its approach to nuclear testing.

Putin’s chief advisor on arms control mentioned on Monday that Russia would not conduct nuclear tests as long as the United States abstains from doing so, following speculation that the Kremlin might lift its post-Soviet moratorium on nuclear testing.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized, “I urge you to revisit and review the statements made by the president regarding the potential authorization for the use of Western weaponry deep within Russian territory,” in response to inquiries about whether the stance articulated by Ryabkov could be altered.

The remarks made by the president during his address in St. Petersburg clearly articulate the stance of the Russian Federation.

On September 12, Putin stated:
“If this decision regarding missiles is made, it will signify nothing less than the direct involvement of NATO nations, including the United States and European countries, in the conflict in Ukraine. This would represent their direct participation, fundamentally altering the nature of the conflict.”

He indicated that Russia would be compelled to implement what he referred to as “appropriate decisions” in response to these new threats.

While he did not specify what these measures might entail, he has previously mentioned the possibility of supplying Russian weaponry to adversaries of the West for strikes against Western targets abroad. In June, he also discussed the potential deployment of conventional missiles within range of the United States and its European allies.

As the largest nuclear power globally, Russia is currently reassessing its nuclear doctrine, particularly the conditions under which it would consider using nuclear weapons.