Nuclear war discourse shifts
Russian political analysts and public figures now argue that a nuclear war can be won and might even end the conflict in Ukraine, according to dnes.dir.bg.
This marks a sharp departure from decades of official policy stating that such a conflict has no victors.
Geneva principles abandoned
In June 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Joe Biden formally reaffirmed that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought, echoing a 1985 agreement between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. Today, that foundational doctrine is openly dismissed by pro-Kremlin commentators. Political analyst Sergei Karaganov called the principle “idiotism” during an October panel discussion moderated by Dmitry Kiselyov in Moscow.
Karaganov proposes limited nuclear strikes against Europe
Karaganov published an article in June 2023 arguing that limited nuclear strikes against European nations could force the West to abandon its support for Ukraine. He later claimed that Russia could win a nuclear war in Europe within three days, not ruling out preemptive strikes against France or the United Kingdom. Businessmen Konstantin Malofeev and philosopher Alexander Dugine have echoed similar proposals.
Russia denies threats as France expands nuclear plans
Russian state media maintains that the threat originates entirely from the West. In February 2026, Russian foreign intelligence alleged that Britain and France were preparing to deliver nuclear components to Ukraine, an accusation both London and Paris rejected. French President Emmanuel Macron subsequently announced plans in March 2026 to expand France’s nuclear arsenal and offer a new European deterrence concept.
Questions about the Moscow discussion and nuclear proposals
Who moderated the October discussion in Moscow on nuclear war?
Kremlin propagandist Dmitry Kiselyov moderated the October event, which featured figures such as Sergei Karaganov and former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl.
What did Margarita Simonyan propose regarding a high-altitude blast?
In October 2023, RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan suggested a thermonuclear explosion at a high altitude over Siberia that would damage modern electronics without causing a nuclear winter.
How did Konstantin Malofeev propose ending the war?
In an interview with Piers Morgan, Malofeev argued that Russia should issue a 72-hour ultimatum before striking Western weapons depots in western Ukraine with nuclear weapons.