Putin's spokesman does not rule out Russia using nuclear weapons

The Independent's Morning Headlines email [View online]( March 23, 2022 [Morning Headlines]( 1 / [Putin spokesperson won’t rule out Russia using nuclear weapons in face of ‘existential threat’]( A spokesman for Vladimir Putin refused to rule out the possibility of using nuclear weapons against Ukraine in case of an “existential threat” to Russia. Dmitry Peskov, Mr Putin’s press secretary, spoke to CNN’s Christiane Amanpour on Tuesday where he was questioned about the possibility of the Russian president using nuclear weapons amid increased global tensions around Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Mr Putin intends to make the world listen to our concerns,” Mr Peskov said. “We have been trying to convey our concerns to the world, to Europe, to United States, for couple of decades, but no one would listen to us.” 2 / [Prince William to ‘acknowledge slavery’ during Jamaica visit following protests]( The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were met by protests in Kingston during their Caribbean tour 3 / [Voters want Sunak to ditch national insurance rise and tax North Sea energy giants in mini-budget, poll shows]( Overwhelming majorities want today’s spring statement to deliver help in cost-of-living crisis 4 / [London pub squatters lived alongside dead body of man ‘wrapped in cling film’ in freezer for months]( ‘It was like something out of a horror movie,’ as pictures show the scene where Roy Bigg’s body was found 5 / [Former Ukraine president Poroshenko asks Boris Johnson not to compare war to Brexit]( Speaking to ITV News, the former leader asked the prime minister to 'please' not suggest similarities between the war and the vote. The Big Question What is the legal definition of genocide and how is it prosecuted? Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Olha Stefanishyna has joined president Volodymyr Zelensky in warning that Russia is attempting to commit genocide in their country. Almost a month into Vladimir Putin’s invasion, the Russian military has repeatedly been accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine as it surrounds major cities like Kharkiv and Mariupol and subjects them to intense shelling campaigns. Children’s nurseries, maternity hospitals, residential apartment blocks, a community theatre, a shopping centre and a Holocaust memorial are among the sites to have been reduced to rubble by Russian missiles so far, although the Kremlin denies intentionally targeting civilians. Here’s how such an allegation would be investigated and prosecuted. [Read the full story >]( Watch/ [Ukrainian protesters try to block Roman Abramovich’s £430m yacht from docking in Turkey]( NUMBER OF THE DAY 9 – The number of additional years Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been sentenced to spend in a maximum security prison on dubious charges of fraud and contempt of court. QUOTE OF THE DAY “Once again it is clear that the occupiers are not interested in the city of Mariupol. They want to level it to the ground and make it the ashes of a dead land.” – Mariupol city council warns about the ongoing Russian bombardment of the Sea of Azov port town. [Refugees Welcome]( Other stories you might like [Ash Barty retires: Tennis rocked as world number one quits game at age 25]( [Bella-Rae Birch: Toddler killed at home by new dog pictured as family pays tribute]( [Fish on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef are losing their colour as corals die]( Articles available exclusively to subscribers John Rentoul, The Independent: [Rishi Sunak is the heir to Blair – his mini-Budget will bear the marks of New Labour’s legacy]( If you can spare a minute we’d love your [feedback]( on our newsletters. [The Independent]( Join the conversation or follow us [Facebook]( [Twitter]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.