Russian President Vladimir Putin signed on Tuesday a decree approving principles of Russia’s state policy in the field of nuclear deterrence.
“Why was it necessary? It was necessary to bring our principles in line with the current situation - that's the first thing. Second, Russia has always considered nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence, the use of which is an extremely forced measure,” Peskov told reporters, adding that the document should be deeply analyzed both in Russia and abroad and make it clear that any aggression against Russia would lead to an inevitable retaliation.
Peskov said that aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state with the participation or support of a nuclear state is considered as their joint attack, adding that nuclear deterrence is aimed at ensuring that potential adversaries understand the “inevitability of retaliation” in the event of aggression against Russia or its allies.
“Among other things, [the document] stipulates that the Russian Federation reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in the event of aggression with the use of conventional weapons against the Russian Federation and/or the Republic of Belarus as a member of the Union State, which poses a critical threat to their sovereignty and/or territorial integrity,” the spokesman said.
He specified that a possible aggression against Russia or Belarus by a non-nuclear country supported by a nuclear country would be considered as their joint attack under the new decree.
Peskov stated that Russia has taken a responsible position and necessary measures to reduce the nuclear threat and prevent aggravation of international relations.
The Russian Defense Ministry keeps the situation with possible strikes on Russia with long-range weapons under control, he added.
"The Russian military is keeping the situation under control, and as soon as we have this information, we will make an appropriate response," Peskov said at the meeting "New opportunities for cooperation between Indian and Russian media: strengthening ties between the peoples of India and Russia."
Russia Supports Global Peace, But No One Thinks About It, Rossia Segodnya's Director Kiselev Says
Russia alone maintains nuclear parity with the United States and thus gives the majority of the world's countries the opportunity to develop in a secure environment, said Dmitry Kiselev, Director General of Rossiya Segodnya media group, the parent company of Sputnik news agency.
"The world rests on the nuclear balance between the United States and Russia, no one denies it. [Donald] Trump, who won the US presidential election, asks his NATO employees to pay for his security because he believes that America provides a certain service that costs money. But the nuclear balance, on the other hand, is guaranteed by Russia, and thus it is Moscow that provides the majority of the world's countries the opportunity to develop," he said.
Kiselev noted that Russia does not require payment for this contribution, but it must be recognized and appreciated.
"This special contribution of Russia to maintaining the global nuclear balance, the balance of power, of course we would like you to appreciate it. I don't think that Putin will ever say: 'Pay for this,' it's not his style. But it seems to me that the world majority should pay for this - if not with money, then at least with recognition of this state of affairs and gratitude. So far this is a figure of silence, no one talks about it, as if it goes without saying. But it is not done by itself, it is done by Russian people. It seems to me that we should all have an internal understanding of this state of affairs," said the director general.
During his speech, Kiselev recalled the recent statement by French President Emmanuel Macron that France was "herbivorous" and should become "omnivorous."
"Some kind of substitution of concepts is happening; they continue to fool us, and if Macron is now saying that France should become omnivorous, what should we expect then? Well, obviously - new missiles in our direction," the famous TV host added.
He recalled that earlier on Tuesday, the Russian president approved a new nuclear doctrine of the Russian Federation, which states that aggression by a non-nuclear state with the support of a nuclear state is considered a joint attack, and Russia has the right to a nuclear response.