Scholz: Russia Nuclear Threat Reduced by International Pressure

German chancellor Scholz will meet French President Macron on December 10, 2021. Michael Kappeler POOL/AFP
German chancellor Scholz will meet French President Macron on December 10, 2021. Michael Kappeler POOL/AFP
TT
20

Scholz: Russia Nuclear Threat Reduced by International Pressure

German chancellor Scholz will meet French President Macron on December 10, 2021. Michael Kappeler POOL/AFP
German chancellor Scholz will meet French President Macron on December 10, 2021. Michael Kappeler POOL/AFP

The risk of nuclear weapons being used in the Ukraine conflict has lessened thanks to international pressure on Russia, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in an interview published Thursday.

"One thing has changed for the time being: Russia has stopped threatening to use nuclear weapons. In response to the international community marking a red line," Scholz said in the interview with Germany's Funke media group.

Asked whether the threat of a nuclear escalation had been averted, Scholz replied: "For the time being, we have put a stop to it."

The German leader lauded his recent visit to China as having contributed to the development, AFP said.

"During my visit to Beijing, Chinese President Xi (Jinping) and I jointly expressed that nuclear weapons must not be used. Shortly afterwards, the G20 countries reaffirmed this position," he said.

Scholz was also asked about controversial comments by French President Emmanuel Macron that it would be necessary to provide "guarantees for its own security to Russia, the day it returns to the table" of negotiations.

"The priority now is for Russia to end the war immediately and withdraw its troops," he said.

"It is true that the question is then how we can achieve security for Europe. Of course we are ready to talk with Russia about arms control in Europe. We offered this before the war, and this position has not changed."

Putin's own menacing language, and the military stalemate, have raised fears Russia could resort to its nuclear arsenal to achieve a military breakthrough.

But speaking at a meeting of his human rights council on Wednesday, Putin suggested that Moscow would only use nuclear weapons in response to such an attack.

"When we are struck, we strike back," he said, stressing that his country's strategy was based on "so-called retaliatory strike" policy.



Russia Warns US Against 'Military Intervention' in Iran-Israel War

FILE PHOTO: Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
TT
20

Russia Warns US Against 'Military Intervention' in Iran-Israel War

FILE PHOTO: Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo

Russia's foreign ministry on Thursday warned the United States not to take military action against Iran, amid speculation over whether Washington will enter the war alongside Israel.

"We would like to particularly warn Washington against military intervention in the situation, which would be an extremely dangerous step with truly unpredictable negative consequences," the ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Iran has not asked its ally Russia for military help amid its escalating air war with Israel.

"Our Iranian friends have not asked us about this," Putin said in response to a question from an AFP reporter at a televized press conference in Saint Petersburg.