Kremlin Claims Only Nuclear Deterrence Prevents Full-Scale Global War

The risk of regional and global conflicts is rising steadily across the world, leaving nuclear deterrence as the sole effective mechanism preventing a full-scale global conflagration, Russia has claimed. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov delivered this stark assessment on Wednesday whilst addressing international delegates and strategic analysts at the 12th International Primakov Readings Forum in Moscow.

Mr Peskov observed that very little else remains to safeguard international stability outside the architecture of mutual assured destruction. This atomic capability successfully keeps a global war at bay, he argued, even though it cannot guarantee the prevention of smaller, localized flashpoints. The comments reflect growing anxiety over the erosion of traditional arms control treaties that historically regulated superpower rivalry.

The Kremlin official expressed deep concern over the current global trajectory, stating that the collective potential for regional conflict is expanding rapidly. He painted a picture of an increasingly unstable international security environment, characterised by fracturing diplomatic relations between major capitals and a systemic trust deficit.

Looking into the future of global weaponry, Mr Peskov warned that rapid scientific and technological advancements could soon fundamentally reshape the nature of modern combat. The world may eventually witness the birth of sophisticated, non-nuclear conventional weapons systems with destructive capacities equal to modern nuclear warheads. This technological evolution could severely complicate future arms control negotiations and permanently shift strategic balance equations globally. Russian defense planners have increasingly focused on hypersonic technology and autonomous systems as elements that could circumvent traditional defense shields.

Turning to current diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing peace, the Kremlin spokesman praised a recent memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran. He also extended recognition to the continuous mediation efforts of neutral third-party states operating in the Middle East. Moscow views these localized conflict-mitigation initiatives with extreme seriousness and remains supportive of steps that de-escalate tension between historic adversaries, particularly given the volatile aftermath of recent military strikes in the region.

The spokesman’s briefing follows an official opening address delivered to the forum on Tuesday by Russian President Vladimir Putin. In his introductory message, President Putin reaffirmed that Moscow continues to advocate for the universally binding principles of international law. The Russian head of state emphasized Russia’s formal commitment to the undisputed authority of the United Nations Security Council, mutual state sovereignty, and the sovereign right of all nations to chart their own developmental paths without external coercion. The Primakov Readings, established in honour of the late foreign minister and prime minister Yevgeny Primakov, has long served as a key venue for Moscow to articulate its vision of a multipolar world order independent of Western hegemony.