Russia is open to dialogue with the nuclear powers, but will react appropriately if The US is deploying more strategic nuclear weapons, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, quoted by Reuters and BTA.
Her comments to state news agency RIA Novosti followed Russian President Vladimir Putin's statement yesterday that the country may make adjustments to its nuclear doctrine. In response, a White House adviser said the United States may need to deploy more strategic nuclear weapons in the coming years to deter the growing threat from Russia, China and other powers.
"We have not stopped any dialogue with anyone. We haven't cut ties. By the way, we have not severed our energy ties and platforms for dialogue," Zakharova said. "We have always stated that even in the most difficult situations there is a place for dialogue /…/ So there is no point in calling us to one, we have never refused it,", she added.
Pranay Wadi, senior director for arms control, disarmament and nonproliferation at the White House National Security Council, made the comments in a speech about the "more competitive approach" to arms control.
It marked a policy shift aimed at pressuring Moscow and Beijing to stop rejecting US calls for talks on limiting arsenals.
Putin said in a speech on Friday that Russia could use nuclear weapons, but did not think it was necessary at this time. Since the Russian president ordered Russian troops into Ukraine in February 2022, he has repeatedly reiterated that Russia will use such weapons if necessary to defend itself. Western countries define the comments in question as exaggerated.
"The president said it all. There is a nuclear doctrine. If there is a need to correct it, corrections will be made," the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry said.