Russia can use nuclear weapons to defend itself - ex-president

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev commented on his Telegram channel on statements about the risk of using nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

"The topic of the last few days is the Russian nuclear threat. Biden and Truss, various secondary blinkens and sullivans, sputtering Atlantic saliva, are demanding that Russia take its hand off its 'nuclear button'. All together, they incessantly threaten us with "dire" consequences if Russia uses nuclear weapons. And the young-minded lady in London is ready to start an immediate exchange of nuclear strikes with our country," Medvedev writes.

He added that under Russian law nuclear weapons may be used only if Russia's existence is threatened - including if nuclear weapons are used against Russia or its allies. Medvedev said that Russia would not allow nuclear weapons to appear in the hands of hostile neighbours.

Medvedev also predicted a situation in which Russia would be forced to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. In his view, NATO will not intervene because of the risk of Russia starting a full-scale nuclear war against the West.

"Therefore, they will swallow the use of any weapons in the current conflict," Medvedev wrote.