How Moscow Loved the Atomic Bomb by Mikhail Zieger for Dr. Spiegel Part 2/2 For Russian politicians, the atomic bomb has long been a common topic of conversation. "It's not just hints and #33", it should be understood that nuclear weapons can be used in certain circumstances. It's not threatening. This is the reality, Dmitry Medvedev wrote in September. More frequent calls for the use of nuclear weapons come from figures such as businessman Konstantin Malfoyev and philosopher Alexander Dugin, both of whom belonged to the extreme and anti-Western wing of Russian politics. In June, Malfoyev and Degin at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum presented three possible scenarios for Russia. The positive scenario included the use of nuclear weapons, the collapse of the European Union, the attack on Kiev and Odessa. In October, Malfoyev gave an interview to the British journalist Piers Morgan. When asked if Vladimir Putin had made mistakes, Malfoyev said the president's biggest mistake was that he had not yet used nuclear weapons. Malfoyev issued an ultimatum: Russia should announce a nuclear strike on weapons storage facilities in western Ukraine within 72 hours. According to him, citizens can be evacuated during this period. Russia should use nuclear weapons, he insisted, precisely to end the murder. More and more, such considerations are expressed by people who can hardly be called radicals. Prof. Timpi Budachov and CEO of the Valdai Club said that he is optimistic and convinced that all is not lost. Even the use of nuclear weapons will not change this: "After a nuclear attack, Europe will regulate relations with Russia." By this logic, a nuclear strike would not necessarily lead to years of Russian isolation, a rupture in international relations, or the destruction of the existing world order. After the initial shock, European countries will accept the new reality and gradually return to cooperation.

How Moscow Loved the Atomic Bomb by Mikhail Zieger for Dr. Spiegel Part 2/2 For Russian politicians, the atomic bomb has long been a common topic of conversation. "It's not just hints and #33", it should be understood that nuclear weapons can be used in certain circumstances. It's not threatening. This is the reality, Dmitry Medvedev wrote in September. More frequent calls for the use of nuclear weapons come from figures such as businessman Konstantin Malfoyev and philosopher Alexander Dugin, both of whom belonged to the extreme and anti-Western wing of Russian politics. In June, Malfoyev and Degin at the St. Petersburg Economic Forum presented three possible scenarios for Russia. The positive scenario included the use of nuclear weapons, the collapse of the European Union, the attack on Kiev and Odessa. In October, Malfoyev gave an interview to the British journalist Piers Morgan. When asked if Vladimir Putin had made mistakes, Malfoyev said the president's biggest mistake was that he had not yet used nuclear weapons. Malfoyev issued an ultimatum: Russia should announce a nuclear strike on weapons storage facilities in western Ukraine within 72 hours. According to him, citizens can be evacuated during this period. Russia should use nuclear weapons, he insisted, precisely to end the murder. More and more, such considerations are expressed by people who can hardly be called radicals. Prof. Timpi Budachov and CEO of the Valdai Club said that he is optimistic and convinced that all is not lost. Even the use of nuclear weapons will not change this: "After a nuclear attack, Europe will regulate relations with Russia." By this logic, a nuclear strike would not necessarily lead to years of Russian isolation, a rupture in international relations, or the destruction of the existing world order. After the initial shock, European countries will accept the new reality and gradually return to cooperation.