The Kremlin‘s strong reaction to Volodymyr Zelensky‘s statements about supplying nuclear weapons to Ukraine if its entry into NATO is delayed, as an alternative security guarantee for the country.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today that such statements were “bordering on madness”, calling on Kiev’s allies to realize the “potential dangers of discussing such a topic in Europe.”

Peskov also confirmed that there have been contacts between the United States and Russia on specific issues, and that these contacts “have been intensified” without elaborating further.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin today assessed as “meaningless” statements by the Ukrainian president, who said yesterday that he is ready for direct negotiations with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and other leaders to end the war.

“Being ready must be backed up somewhere (…) So far, this can only be taken as meaningless words,” spokesman Peskov told reporters.

He stressed once again that Zelensky has issued a decree in October 2022 banning any negotiations while Putin is in power in Russia, a response to the Kremlin’s decision to claim the annexation of four Ukrainian regions.

“Nevertheless, we remain open to negotiations,” Peskov continued.