Putin will use nukes if faced with an 'existential threat,' Kremlin spokesperson says

Dmitry Peskov and Vladimir Putin
(Image credit: Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin won't rule out using nuclear weapons if Russia faces an "existential threat," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday in an interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour.

Putin previously hinted that the nuclear option was on the table when he said in his televised address announcing the invasion on Feb. 24 that the "consequences" for any nation attempting to interfere "will be such as you have never seen in your entire history."

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Grayson Quay

Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-GazetteModern AgeThe American ConservativeThe Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.