Russia’s President Vladimir Putin stated in a recent interview that Moscow is prepared to use nuclear weapons if the Russian state’s existence is threatened. However, he emphasized that there has never been a need for such action. The statement comes amidst ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the upcoming presidential elections in Russia, where Putin is expected to secure a fifth term in office.
From a military and technical perspective, Putin affirmed that Russia is ready for a nuclear war, though he did not imply that one is imminent. He also warned that if US troops were deployed to Ukraine, Russia would consider them interventionists. Putin acknowledged that the United States is also developing nuclear forces, but stated that this does not necessarily mean they are ready to launch a nuclear war in the near future.
In the realm of Russian-American relations and strategic restraint, Putin expressed confidence in the expertise of the individuals involved. He stated that while he does not anticipate a direct confrontation, Russia is prepared for any scenario that may arise.
Russia’s expansive and diverse nuclear weapons stockpile is seen as a crucial asset for achieving its goals in potential conflicts with the United States or NATO, according to the US intelligence community. The risk of Putin utilizing these weapons has been heightened by Russia’s ongoing struggles in the Ukrainian conflict.
The intelligence community’s annual unclassified threat assessment warned that Russia’s inability to achieve swift victories on the battlefield, coupled with Ukrainian strikes within Russia, has raised concerns about the potential use of nuclear weapons. Furthermore, Russia is expanding and modernizing its systems for delivering nuclear weapons, aiming to deter adversaries, control escalation, and counter US and Allied conventional forces.
The prospect of Russia employing nuclear weapons has prompted the US to engage in thorough preparations. According to a book by CNN’s Jim Sciutto, the US began preparing for the possibility of a Russian nuclear strike on Ukraine in late 2022. Western officials have acknowledged Russia’s advancements in defense production, particularly in artillery munitions, which could provide a significant advantage in future conflicts.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is urgently seeking aid from the US, with President Volodymyr Zelensky warning that millions of lives could