President Zelensky Wants NATO to Launch Deterrent Strikes, Kremlin: Calls to Start World War, Dire Consequences

JAKARTA - The Kremlin on Thursday condemned comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which he suggested NATO launch a deterrent strike to prevent Russia's use of nuclear weapons, the RIA news agency said.

"Such statements are nothing but calls to restart a world war with dire consequences that cannot be predicted," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

In discussions with the Lowy Institute, an Australian think tank, President Zelensky said he believed an attack was necessary to prevent the use of nuclear weapons. However, he did not specify what kind of attack he meant and did not mention the need for a nuclear strike.

"What should NATO do? Make it impossible for Russia to use nuclear weapons," he said in a statement posted in an online video.

"Importantly, I once again appeal to the international community, preventive strikes so that (Russia) knows what will happen to them if they use (nuclear weapons)," he said.

Separately, Ukrainian Presidential Press Secretary Serhii Nykyforov denied misquoting by some media of President Zelensky's words about a "preventive strike" against Russia if it decides to use nuclear weapons, Ukrinform reported.

"The president spoke about the period before February 24. At that time, it was necessary to implement precautionary measures to prevent Russia from starting a war. Let me remind you, the only measures discussed at that time were preventive sanctions," he explained.

Nykyforov added that Ukraine "would never call for the use of nuclear weapons," citing the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Presidential Office, said President Zelensky reminded Russia of nuclear blackmail and called on allies to first outline the consequences for Russia, "intensifying attacks against Russia, including sanctions and military assistance," the Kyiv Independent reported.