MOSCOW, March 11. /TASS/. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov has dismissed allegations that Russia considered using nuclear weapons in Ukraine as speculation typical of Western media.

"This belongs in the category of speculation that various newspapers tend to publish. I don't think this needs any comments," he said, when asked to comment on reports that Russia could use a nuclear weapon to strike Ukraine in 2022.

CNN earlier reported, citing two senior US administration officials, that the country rigorously prepared for potential Russian nuclear strike in Ukraine at the end of 2022 on a tip-off from Western intelligence services. However, US intelligence agencies have never found evidence that this information was reliable.

Peskov earlier said that Western leaders exercise nuclear rhetoric on a daily basis and added that Russia does not want to take part in these exercises. Peskov also stated that Moscow can use nuclear weapons only under the conditions that are stipulated by its nuclear doctrine.