The nuclear war is “impossible” said Igor Vishnevetsky, deputy director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control, adding that many experts understand its disastrous consequences for the world.

He explained that nuclear armaments and their delivery are now so advanced that nuclear war would entail a rapid exchange of strikes which “no one would be able to stop”.

Vishnevetsky also rejected with scorn suggestions that the “limited” use of nuclear weapons might be possible. He wondered who would be able to “limit” such weaponry, especially if artificial intelligence is involved – something that is being discussed in the defense industry.

The deputy director also reminded his audience of the agreement reached in January by the five recognized nuclear-weapon states – Russia, the US, UK, France and China – about the impossibility of nuclear war. Their statement, which Vishnevetsky read out, said that there are no winners in nuclear war and it should not be waged by anyone. The five states also stressed that nuclear weapons should only be used as a deterrence to prevent war and that their further proliferation should be prevented.

NATO countries previously rejected repeated calls from Kiev to implement a no-fly zone in Ukraine’s airspace to prevent Russian aviation from carrying out its missions as a part of Russian special operation in Ukraine. The alliance members argued that the no-fly zone could trigger a Third World War with Russia, which may end up being a nuclear one. Moscow also cautioned NATO against implementing a no-fly zone, warning that it would then consider the bloc a party to the conflict.