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The German chancellor said the risk of Russia using nuclear weapons in the conflict in Ukraine has decreased. Photo/Illustration/Sindonews
“Russia has stopped threatening to use nuclear weapons in response to the international community drawing a red line,” Scholz said BBCThursday (8/12/2022).
In an interview, Scholz said his recent visit to China helped “stop” the threat of nuclear escalation.
He said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that nuclear weapons should not be used and that G20 countries reaffirmed that position shortly thereafter.
In the interview, Scholz also addressed comments from French President Emmanuel Macron that it was necessary to provide guarantees for Russia’s own security the day it returns to the negotiating table.
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“The priority now is for Russia to immediately end the war and withdraw its troops,” he said.
“Of course we are ready to talk to Russia about arms control in Europe. We offered it before the war and this position has not changed,” he added.
The German chancellor’s comments came a day after President Putin said the risk of nuclear war “is increasing – it would be wrong to hide it”.
Addressing a televised meeting of his human rights council, the Russian leader insisted that Russia “under no circumstances” would use weapons first and threaten no one with its nuclear arsenal.