(Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin stated in a recent interview that Russia is currently in a state of combat readiness and is fully prepared for a nuclear war, although he emphasized that the country is not currently rushing towards such a scenario. Putin, who is expected to win the upcoming presidential election, made these remarks in response to questions about Russia’s nuclear capabilities and readiness to use them if necessary.
In an interview with state media outlets, Putin mentioned that Russia would be prepared to use nuclear weapons if its sovereignty was ever threatened. He emphasized that from a military-technical perspective, Russia is fully equipped for such a situation.
According to Putin, the United States is aware that any deployment of American troops on Russian soil or in Ukraine would be viewed by Russia as an intervention. He highlighted the importance of specialists in Russian-American relations and strategic restraint in avoiding potential nuclear confrontation.
“From a military-technical point of view, we are, of course, ready,” Putin told Rossiya-1 television and news agency RIA in response to a question whether the country was really ready for a nuclear war.
“Therefore, I don’t think that here everything is rushing to it (nuclear confrontation), but we are ready for this.”
Putin reiterated that Russia’s nuclear doctrine spells out the circumstances under which the country might use its nuclear weapons. He emphasized that weapons exist to be used and that Russia has its own principles regarding the use of nuclear weapons.
He also mentioned the possibility of Russia conducting nuclear tests if the United States were to do so, indicating that it remains a consideration for the country. However, Putin clarified that Russia has never faced a situation where it felt the need to resort to the use of nuclear weapons during the conflict in Ukraine.
“Why do we need to use weapons of mass destruction? There has never been such a need.”
Putin’s remarks come amidst ongoing tensions between Russia and Western nations, particularly in the context of the conflict in Ukraine that began in February 2022. Despite the rhetoric surrounding nuclear capabilities, Putin emphasized that Russia has not had to resort to using such weapons in the region.
Reported by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Edited by Christopher Cushing and Clarence Fernandez
