Vladimir Putin’s threat that he could order the use of nuclear weapons has been a focus of significant reaction since his comments during a speech earlier.

Joining those who responded to the remarks is UK foreign minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, who labelled them “irresponsible”.

He levelled his criticism in Parliament after the Russian president sought to warn the West against deeper involvement in the conflict, saying that such a move risked triggering a global war that would see “the destruction of our civilisation”.

Mr Putin made the comments in a state-of-the-nation address following the second anniversary of the invasion by Kremlin forces and ahead of next month’s election that he seems certain to win.

Responding in Westminster, Lord Ahmad told peers: “Nothing surprises us or shocks us in terms of what Mr Putin articulates.

“It is not the first time he has articulated such comments.

“It is irresponsible, it is wrong and the use or the threatened use of such weapons is frankly quite deplorable.

“Whether he is using it with intent or as shock tactic I can’t speculate on that.

“But what I can say, and I am sure I speak for everyone in the House, is that the last thing anyone wants to hear right now is the use of threatening to use such weapons.”

He added: “Mr Putin himself could reflect on his own history and that of Russia to see that the only way forward on this is to ensure that he pulls back now, he brings about peace on the continent and stops the war on Ukraine.”

Earlier, in the House of Lords, a peer called on the UK to “push for a negotiated settlement” with Moscow over Ukraine.

Economist and independent crossbencher Lord Skidelsky – who has previously had links to Russian companies and spoke out against Finland joining NATO – said: “I am trying to understand the logic of the government’s position.

“Is it still the government’s expectation that Ukraine will win a complete victory in the sense of recovering the territories it has lost since 2014?

“If so, can the minister confirm that this remains the government’s position?

“If not, most experts now do not think that is a feasible endgame, should the government not couple support for Ukraine with a public push for a negotiated settlement, such as has been advocated by many countries in the world, while they still have leverage on the table, not least to avoid the unnecessary slaughter of thousands of Ukrainians and Russians?”

Responding, Lord Ahmad said: “We want to stop the slaughter of innocent Ukrainian citizens.

“The best way to stop that slaughter is for Mr Putin and Russia to stop the war now.

“There are no two ways about it, we cannot allow it.

“We back Ukraine, Ukraine’s leadership is important, and the United Kingdom stands firmly behind it.”

Lord Skidelsky was suspended from the upper chamber for a month last year after failing to properly declare his links to a think tank funded by two Russian businessmen who were subsequently sanctioned.

The peer, who has been critical of the government’s approach to Ukraine, has previously served as a director of the Russian oil firm Russneft.