Russia accuses the West of increasing the risk of using nuclear weapons

At a meeting of security officials from former Soviet states, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Nikolai Patrushev said that the post-Cold War world order, including US dominance, is weakening. According to TASS, Mr. Patrushev said the natural consequence of the US's "destructive" policies is the decline of global security.

The US nuclear submarine USS Nebraska during a test launch of a Trident II D5 ballistic missile in 2018

"The risk of using nuclear, chemical and biological weapons is growing. The international arms control regime has been weakened," the Russian official said, without specifying where such weapons might be used. Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law withdrawing ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Mr. Patrushev’s comments came a day after Russia withdrew from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, a post-Cold War agreement limiting the deployment of forces and equipment in the region. Russia called the move necessary due to unacceptable NATO expansion, according to Reuters.

The US has criticised the decision, saying it shows Moscow's lack of interest in arms control. US officials have previously warned of the possibility of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, although Russian leaders have downplayed the possibility. NATO has announced that its members will suspend the treaty in response to Russia.

At a press conference on November 8, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov answered a question about the prospect of dialogue with the US and the West regarding nuclear weapons: "Dialogue is definitely necessary, but it cannot take place in a situation where one country lectures another. We do not accept such a situation."

Western officials have not commented on the statements by Mr Patrushev and Mr Peskov.

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