"Western leaders have expressed concern about the scale of nuclear sabre-rattling over Ukraine by senior Russian officials, including President Putin, especially after February's invasion.
How does Moscow react to charges it is engaging in such rhetoric and threats?
I asked one of Russia's most powerful officials, Sergei Naryshkin, head of the SVR Foreign Intelligence Service, to respond to international criticism.
He denied any Russian nuclear rhetoric, even though there's been plenty.
Mr Naryshkin pointed the finger back at the West.
"Will you state categorically that Russia will not use nuclear weapons in Ukraine or engage in other provocative actions, such as exploding a dirty bomb, or blowing up a dam?" I asked Mr Naryshkin.
Russia's spy chief didn't answer the question directly. "We are, of course, very concerned about Western rhetoric about the possibility of using nuclear weapons," Sergei Naryshkin responded."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63373728
It was pointed out by the Ukrainian foreign minister that it is a habit of Russian officials to lay blame in advance on their enemies for wicked things they are contemplating doing themselves. Liars do get boring after a while.
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