NEW YORK, March 13. /TASS/. US celebrity entrepreneur Elon Musk put his backing behind the idea that Russia might use nuclear weapons if there is a threat to its existence.

The businessman commented on a post by the Zero Hedge news aggregator on X that Russia will be ready to use nuclear weapons if the existence of the Russian state is threatened, as Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with TV presenter Dmitry Kiselyov.

"Of course," Musk replied as he commented on the post.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier said that Western leaders exercise nuclear rhetoric on a daily basis as he stressed Russia’s reluctance to take part in these exercises. Peskov reiterated that Moscow could use nukes only in line with its nuclear doctrine.