Dmitry Polyanskiy: Nuclear Retaliation Against Europe No Longer Unthinkable

This interview features Professor Glenn Diesen in conversation with Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's Permanent Representative to the OSCE. The discussion centers on the deteriorating security landscape in Europe, with particular focus on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Russia's relationship with NATO. Polyanskiy argues that Western nations are increasingly involved in the conflict, blurring the lines between proxy engagement and direct confrontation through the provision of long-range weaponry and intelligence to Ukraine.

The conversation also touches upon the role of international institutions, particularly the OSCE and the UN, which Polyanskiy characterizes as failing to address the root causes of the crisis due to what he perceives as a Western-dominated agenda. The participants explore the implications of these developments, including the risk of direct conflict, the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons as a deterrent, and the overall erosion of diplomatic channels for negotiation.