The Russian government on Wednesday, February 5, labelled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s demand for nuclear weapons as ‘bordering on madness’.
Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov stated this while speaking to journalists in the Russian capital Moscow. He criticized the notion that Ukraine should be provided nuclear weapons in sufficient quantity to deter Russia.
“Such statements and remarks, in general, border on madness.“There is a non-proliferation regime for nuclear weapons, among other things,” Peskov said.
Zelenskyy had said in an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan late Tuesday that Kyiv should be given nuclear weapons to ensure its security if Ukraine’s NATO membership process takes too long.
The 47-year-old politician questioned what guarantees Ukraine would have if NATO accession remains uncertain, saying: “Will they give us nuclear weapons? Let them give us nuclear weapons.”
“Will they give us enough missiles to stop Russia, which I doubt? But this (giving nuclear weapons) will help,” he added.
Zelenskyy also said he would agree to direct talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to end the war only if some certain people are present.
Reacting, Peskov said that Ukraine’s readiness for negotiations should be based on something concrete and not merely rhetoric.
“Readiness must be built on something; it cannot be based on a legislative ban on such negotiations … So for now, this is nothing more than empty words,” Peskov added.