The Russian government has strongly condemned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s call for nuclear weapons, labeling it as “bordering on madness.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the statement on Wednesday, February 5, while addressing journalists in Moscow.
He criticized Zelenskyy’s suggestion that Ukraine should be provided with nuclear weapons to deter Russia, emphasizing that such remarks disregard international non-proliferation agreements.
“Such statements and remarks, in general, border on madness. There is a non-proliferation regime for nuclear weapons, among other things,” Peskov stated.
Zelenskyy made the controversial remark during an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan on Tuesday.
The Ukrainian leader suggested that if Ukraine’s NATO membership process remains uncertain, Kyiv should be given nuclear weapons to ensure its security.
“Will they give us nuclear weapons? Let them give us nuclear weapons,” Zelenskyy said, questioning what guarantees Ukraine would have in the absence of NATO protection.
He further expressed doubts about receiving sufficient missile support to counter Russia.
Additionally, Zelenskyy reiterated his willingness to hold direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the ongoing war but insisted that specific conditions and individuals must be involved in such negotiations.
Reacting to this, Peskov dismissed Zelenskyy’s stance as “empty words,” stating that any readiness for negotiations must be backed by concrete actions rather than 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,” he added.