Russia Not Afraid to say 'Nuclear Weapons' over Ukraine

In a strong signal to both the U.S. and NATO over the crisis in Ukraine, a Russian official on Saturday said that Moscow may suspend inspections of its nuclear weapons arsenal, a practice long done in accordance with arms control treaties designed to alleviate international tensions between the nuclear-armed powers.

According to the New York Times:

Despite its threat and what appeared in the last twenty-four hours as Russia tightening its military hold on the Crimea peninsula, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated his nation’s position by saying that it supports a diplomatic solution to the situation.

“We are ready to continue a dialogue on the understanding that a dialogue should be honest and partner-like, without attempts to portray us as one of the parties in the conflict,” Lavrov said, indicating his rejection of the way the U.S. specifically has painted Russia’s involvement so far.