In a stark warning, Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned the West on Wednesday about Russia’s preparedness for nuclear conflict if the United States were to cross certain boundaries by sending troops into Ukraine. Speaking in an interview with state media just days before this week’s election, Putin emphasized that while the scenario of nuclear war was not deemed “imminent,” Russia was fully equipped for such a situation. He clarified that he saw no immediate need for nuclear weapons to be deployed in Ukraine.
“From a military-technical perspective, we are, of course, ready,” remarked Putin during his interview with Rossiya-1 television and RIA news agency. He stressed that any deployment of American troops on Russian soil would be interpreted as intervention, adding, “I don’t think that here everything is rushing to it (nuclear confrontation), but we are ready for this.”
Regarding peace talks concerning Ukraine, Putin expressed his distrust, asserting that Russia required guarantees that aligned with their interests. He highlighted the necessity for concrete assurances, stating, “We will certainly not buy into some empty promises.”
Putin’s nuclear warnings coincided with an offer for talks on Ukraine as part of a potential reconfiguration of European security in the post-Cold War era. The Russian president’s move follows the deployment of tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, escalating the conflict that had simmered for years in the region.
While Kyiv frames its defense against Russian aggression as vital to preserving its national identity, Moscow contends that the territories it controls in Ukraine now belong to Russia. Putin has repeatedly issued public warnings to the U.S., aimed at dissuading further American involvement in Ukraine.
Addressing concerns raised by the Biden administration that Russia might resort to using tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Putin stated he had never felt compelled to do so. He reaffirmed Russia’s readiness for serious negotiations on Ukraine, albeit contingent upon realistic terms.
The rejection of Putin’s proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine to halt the ongoing conflict was reported last month, underscoring the complexities and challenges surrounding diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
