Ambassador Antonov: US does not heed Russia’s warnings on nuclear safety

Washington does not delve into the essence of Moscow’s arguments on the use of nuclear weapons, using Russian warnings only as a pretext for criticism, declared Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov in a comment to Newsweek.

Former Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting with members of the HRC said that Russia has more advanced and modern nuclear weapons than any other country, but is not going to “swing these weapons like a razor, running around the world.” The head of state noted the increased threat of nuclear war, noting that if Russia “under no circumstances” uses nuclear weapons first, “it means that the second one will not use either” because of the consequences of such a strike on its territory.

According to Newsweek, the US State Department called these words “irresponsible and dangerous saber-rattling.” Asked for comment on the situation, Antonov said that Russia takes seriously its responsibility as the leading nuclear power in maintaining global security.

“You get the impression that the administration is using the Russian warnings only as an excuse for criticism, without listening to the substance of our arguments,” the ambassador said.

Antonov stressed that Putin once again stressed that Russia will defend itself and protect its allies by all available means.

“Is the US position different?” he added.

At the same time, Moscow, unlike Washington, does not deploy its nuclear weapons on the territories of non-nuclear states, the ambassador recalled, does not train the armed forces of these countries in the use of these weapons and does not release them from its control. Russia will continue to “patiently remind” the United States of the risks associated with the continuation of the “proxy war” against it in Ukraine, Antonov added.

On November 30, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized the inadmissibility of any clash between states possessing nuclear weapons. “Russia’s position goes further: in addition to the inadmissibility of such a war, it is necessary to avoid any military clash between nuclear powers, even with the use of conventional weapons,” Lavrov said.

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