After speculation of its use in its conflict with the West, Russia: The use of our nuclear arsenal is possible only in one case

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Moscow had no interest in a direct confrontation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United States of America, and that it would use its nuclear weapons in one case.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ivan Nechaev stated at a press briefing that nuclear weapons would be used only as a "response" measure, and that his country would only use its nuclear arsenal in "emergency situations".

Russia's defense minister said on Tuesday that Moscow "does not need" to use nuclear weapons during its military campaign in Ukraine, describing media speculation that Moscow might deploy nuclear or chemical weapons in the conflict as "pure lies".