Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS in an interview published Nov. 30, that the risk of a nuclear exchange with NATO nations does exist, but Moscow will do everything possible to prevent it. “We have said everything that needed to be said in terms of scenarios for the use of nuclear weapons; the president has made statements on the matter and it is also reflected in the updated foundations of Russia’s state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence. Saying that this risk is not there anymore would violate the truth. Unfortunately, such a risk does exist,” he said.
“We will do the most we can to prevent this catastrophic scenario,” Ryabkov continued. “However, not everything depends on us in this case,” he added. “In the past, major research was carried out, many times, including by professionals, in order to assess potential consequences. Today, the situation is very difficult and tense,” the Russian deputy foreign minister concluded.
