While refusing to rule out the use of nuclear weapons, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that if there is an existential threat for Russia, the country can use the nukes. In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Tuesday (local time), when asked under what conditions Putin would use Russia’s nuclear capability, Peskov replied, “If it is an existential threat for our country, then it can be,” reported CNN News. Moreover, when asked what Putin thought he had achieved in Ukraine so far, Peskov answered, “Well, first of all, not yet. He hasn’t achieved yet,” adding the special military operation was, “going on strictly in accordance with the plans and the purposes that were established beforehand.”
During the interview, Peskov stated what Russia desires to achieve from the war in Ukraine. He said, “Main goals of the operation” are to “get rid of the military potential of Ukraine,” to ensure Ukraine is a “neutry,” to get rid of “nationalist battalions,” for Ukraine to accept that Crimea is a part of Russia and accept the breakaway regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. Notably, Crimea was annexed by Russia in 2014. Russia also accused Ukraine of committing genocide in the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk. On 24 February, Russia began a special military operation in Ukraine after the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics requested help in defending themselves. What followed the military operation was a slew of sanctions imposed by the western countries targeting the Russian economy. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been invited to virtually address the NATO summit set to take place on Thursday (local time) discussing the Russian invasion of his country. “President Zelensky is invited to address the NATO summit via video link,” a NATO official said Tuesday. “This will be an opportunity for allied leaders to hear directly from President Zelenskyy about the dire situation facing the people of Ukraine because of Russia’s aggression,” the official added, reported France 24. A meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) at the level of Heads of State and Government will take place on Thursday. The meeting will be in person and will be chaired by the NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg. A report from Washington said US President Joe Biden is expected to announce this week new sanctions against more than 300 members of the Russian State Duma over Moscow’s special military operation in Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported citing American officials. The report said on Tuesday that the Biden administration could announce the sanctions as soon as Thursday when Biden meets with NATO leaders to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Earlier in the day, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Biden will announce new sanctions against Russia while he is in Brussels meeting with NATO and European partners. The report, citing US officials, confirmed that the sanctions will be announced in coordination with the European Union and members of the G7