In a stern address on Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin cautioned the West, asserting Russia’s technical preparedness for nuclear warfare. He emphasized that any deployment of U.S. troops to Ukraine would constitute a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict.
Speaking just ahead of the March 15-17 election, which virtually guarantees him another six-year term in office, Putin clarified that the prospect of nuclear confrontation was not imminent. He underscored his view that nuclear weapons weren’t necessary in the Ukrainian scenario, stating, “Therefore, I don’t think that here everything is rushing to it (nuclear confrontation), but we are ready for this.”
Putin’s nuclear warning coincided with his renewed call for talks on Ukraine as part of a broader reconfiguration of European security post-Cold War. However, the U.S. remains skeptical of Putin’s readiness for substantive discussions regarding Ukraine.
The conflict in Ukraine has strained Russia’s relations with the West to their deepest since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Putin has repeatedly cautioned against Western intervention, warning of the risk of nuclear conflict. Russia’s incursion into Ukraine in February 2022 escalated a long-standing conflict, prompting full-scale war.
Russia’s Nuclear Capability Raise Concerns
As the West grapples with supporting Kyiv against Russian aggression, concerns have mounted over Russia’s nuclear posture. While Washington reports no major changes, Putin’s public nuclear warnings have sparked alarm. He reiterated that the Kremlin’s nuclear doctrine outlines conditions for weapon use, chiefly in response to nuclear or mass destruction attacks or when conventional weapons threaten Russia’s existence.
“Weapons exist in order to use them,” Putin asserted, underscoring Russia’s principles. The U.S., particularly in 2022, has been wary of Russia’s potential use of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
Despite these warnings, Putin asserted Russia’s willingness for serious negotiations on Ukraine, contingent upon realistic terms. However, his previous ceasefire proposal was rebuffed by the U.S., hindering diplomatic progress. U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns warned of further Russian advances into Ukraine without adequate Western support.
Putin emphasized Russia’s need for written security guarantees in any settlement, expressing distrust and the necessity for satisfactory assurances.
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