Calls Russia Cannot Win Nuclear War, NATO Warns Use Of Chemical Weapons: Transforming Conflict And Has Wide Impact

JAKARTA - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) warned Russia could not win a nuclear war if it happened, underscoring the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine would have far-reaching implications.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in a press conference in Brussels, Belgium warned, Russia's war in Ukraine was sliding into a nuclear confrontation between Moscow and the West.

"Russia must stop this irresponsible, dangerous nuclear rhetoric," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a news conference.

"But, let there be no doubt about our readiness to protect and defend allies from any threat at any time," he stressed.

"Russia must understand that they can never win a nuclear war," Stoltenberg said.

On this occasion, Stoltenberg again warned that NATO was ready to provide support for Ukraine, but at the same time, NATO was not directly involved in the conflict.

"NATO is not part of the conflict. Provide support to Ukraine but not part of the conflict. NATO will not send troops to Ukraine. It is very important to provide support to Ukraine and we increase it. But, at the same time it is also very important to prevent this conflict from becoming a full war between NATO and Russia," he said.

Stoltenberg further said that apart from nuclear weapons, any use of chemical weapons in Russia's war in Ukraine would have far-reaching consequences.

"Any use of chemical weapons would completely change the nature of the conflict, it would be a blatant violation of international law and would have far-reaching consequences," Stoltenberg said.

As previously reported, Russia has dismissed accusations of the possibility of using nuclear weapons. Russia's security policy states it will use nuclear weapons, if its existence is threatened, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told CNN.

Peskov made the comments in an English-language interview when asked if he believed President Vladimir Putin would not use nuclear weapons.

"We have a concept of internal security and it is public, you can read all the reasons for using nuclear weapons. So, if it is an existential threat to our country, then it (nuclear arsenal) can be used according to our concept," he said.

President Vladimir Putin last month ordered Russia's nuclear forces to be on high alert. In line with the order, Russia's Defense Ministry said on February 28, its nuclear missile forces and North and Pacific fleets had been placed on enhanced combat duty, the Interfax news agency reported.