‘Russia is ready for nuclear war if threatened’: Putin draws his red line amid Ukraine conflict
Last updated: March 13, 2024, 14:08 IST
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Dmitry Kiselyov, director general of the Rossiya Segodnya media group, during an interview in Moscow, Russia on March 12, 2024. (Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via Reuters)
Putin warns West about nuclear preparations amid Ukraine tensions. Offers talks while claiming Russian sovereignty
President Vladimir Putin warned the West on Wednesday that Russia is “ready” for nuclear war if the US crosses its red line and sends troops into Ukraine. Days before this week’s election, in an interview with state media, Putin said that the scenario of nuclear war was not “imminent” and that he saw no need for the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
“From a military-technical point of view, we are definitely ready,” Putin, 71, said in response to a question from Rossiya-1 television and RIA news agency. Putin, who is likely to secure another six years in power, said the US understands that if it deployed US troops on Russian territory, it would regard the move as interference. “…I don’t think everything here is rushing towards (nuclear confrontation), but we are ready for it,” Putin said.
“I hate to say it, but I don’t trust anyone. But we need guarantees,” Putin said about the possibility of Ukraine peace talks. “I hate to say it, but I don’t trust anyone. But we need guarantees. And the guarantees must be made clear, they must be guarantees that… pic.twitter.com/wZvBFRoGo8
– Sputnik (@SputnikInt) 13 March 2024
‘Guarantee’
On Ukraine peace talks Putin said he hates to say it, but he “doesn’t trust anyone.” He said, Russia needs guarantees. “And the guarantees must be clear, they must be guarantees that are suitable for us and that we can trust. This is what we are talking about. But it’s probably too early to talk publicly about what it might be. But we will definitely not make any empty promises. Artificial satellite,
Putin’s nuclear warning came alongside another proposal for talks on Ukraine as part of the new demarcation of European security after the Cold War. Putin sent thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, sparking a full-scale war in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian forces on one side and pro-Russian Ukrainians and Russian proxies on the other, following an eight-year conflict. Kiev says it is defending itself against an imperial-style war of conquest designed to erase its national identity. Russia says the areas under its control in Ukraine now belong to Russia.
Putin has sent several public nuclear warnings to the US aimed at discouraging greater involvement in Ukraine. Putin reiterated that the use of nuclear weapons was described in the Kremlin’s nuclear doctrine, which sets out the conditions under which it would use such weapons: broadly in response to an attack using nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction. Response, or the use of conventional weapons against Russia “when the very existence of the state is threatened.” “The weapons are there to be used,” Putin said. “We have our own principles.”
American broadcaster cnn US President Joe Biden’s administration was particularly concerned that Russia could use tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine in 2022, it was reported on Saturday. Putin said that he never felt the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Putin said that Russia is ready for serious talks on Ukraine. Putin said, “Russia is ready for talks on Ukraine, but it should be based on reality – not on lust after the use of psychotropic drugs.” last month, reuters informed of. That Putin’s suggestion for a ceasefire to stop the war in Ukraine was rejected by the US.
(with agency input)
