Lavrov: Russia Won't Use Nuclear Weapons In Ukraine

In an interview with India Today, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said his country’s forces would not use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

By Brendan Cole, Newsweek

Moscow is not considering using nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.

In an interview with India Today, Lavrov said his country’s forces would use “conventional weapons only,” according to state news agency Interfax.

Although he is not directly responsible for military decision-making, his comments are among the most direct so far on the prospect of Russia escalating the conflict into a nuclear one.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov: we won't use nukes

Western intelligence officials had warned that Russia might resort to tactical or other limited nuclear weapons if its invasion continues to face setbacks.

Soon after announcing his invasion, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia’s nuclear forces be placed on high alert. Some Russian government figures also signaled that Russia would be willing to use them in certain circumstances.

However, this was dismissed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov last month when he told PBS that Russia would not use nuclear weapons.