As of: March 13, 2024, 9:04 a.m
By: Bedrettin Bölükbasi
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Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin.
(Archive image) © Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP/dpa
Putin is proud of Russia's "much more modern" nuclear forces compared to the USA.
In an interview he explains when a nuclear weapon could be used.
Moscow – In the background of the Ukraine war, Russia repeatedly talks about its status as a nuclear power and primarily wants to put pressure on the West.
Propagandists on state television in particular, but also politicians like former head of state Dmitry Medvedev, are throwing around nuclear threats.
But in the middle of the Ukraine war, Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin also regularly comments - albeit more diplomatically than other Russians - about the power of Russia's nuclear forces.
Putin threatens to be prepared for nuclear war: But there is currently “no need” for deployment in Ukraine
In an interview with the Russian journalist Dmitri Kiselev for the state broadcaster
Rossiya-1
and the state news agency
Ria Novosti,
the topic again was, among other things, a possible nuclear escalation with a view to the war in Ukraine.
Putin once again emphasized that Russia is prepared to resort to nuclear weapons in certain cases.
“Weapons exist to be used,” the Russian ruler made clear in an interview with Kiselev.
Russia has “its own principles” for such an operation – for example in Ukraine.
Moscow has laid down everything in a strategy that consists of these principles and is sticking to it so far.
“We are ready to use all weapons, including those you mentioned (nuclear weapons, editor's note), when we talk about the existence of the Russian state,” Putin said.
In the event of damage to Russian sovereignty and independence, the use of nuclear weapons would be possible, the Russian ruler explained.
If Putin has his way, the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine - at least in the current situation - is not necessary.
“Why should we use weapons of mass destruction?
There has never been such a need before,” he explained, referring to the so-called “special military operation” in the neighboring country.
The Kremlin chief claimed that he had never had such a thought: “No, why should I?”
Russia's “nuclear triad” is allegedly more modern than in the USA: Putin believes tests are possible
Nevertheless, he emphasized that Russia was ready for a nuclear war from a “military-technical point of view.”
“We have them in constant combat readiness,” he said of his country’s nuclear forces, raising the possibility of direct intervention by US soldiers.
President Joe Biden's government is aware of the consequences here, emphasized Putin and added: "So I don't think everything is progressing like this here, but we are definitely ready for it (nuclear war, editor's note)."
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The Russian ruler believes that Russia's “nuclear triad” is in any case better positioned than its counterpart in the USA.
These include land, air and sea-based nuclear weapons.
“Our triad, the nuclear triad, is more modern than any other triad.
And only we and the Americans have such triads,” Putin said.
Allegedly, all “nuclear components are much more advanced and modern.”
“Everyone knows that, specialists know everything,” the Kremlin leader continued.
In this context, the Russian president did not rule out future Russian nuclear tests.
If the United States conducts such tests, Russia will likely do the same, he said.
“Whether we need it or not, we still have to think about it, but I don't rule out that we can do the same,” he told Kiselev and immediately gave reasons.
The USA did not ratify the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), which is why Russia withdrew its own ratification.
Nevertheless, Russia is sticking to the agreement so far and may only carry out tests if the USA does so first.
(bb)