Kremlin Denies Allegations That Russia Is Prepared to Start a Nuclear War

The Kremlin said on Friday that claims Russia is ready to launch a nuclear war are "unacceptable madness" and part of what it describes as a semi-war being waged by the West against Russia. Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, stated in an interview with a television channel: "I consider this absolutely unacceptable madness," referring to what he described as "irrational accusations" against Russia regarding its readiness to initiate a nuclear war. Russia and the United States are the two largest nuclear powers in the world, significantly ahead of other countries.