Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that his country’s nuclear forces were consistently in fighting position and warned that any presence of U. S. troops on Ukrainian soil would be an escalation, the latest in a series of nuclear threats issued through the Russian leader since the beginning of the year. Their invasion of Ukraine.
In an interview broadcast by the state-run Rossiya-1 television channel, Putin responded to a question about Russia’s readiness for nuclear war by saying: “From a military-technical point of view, of course we are prepared. “
He added that the country’s nuclear weaponry is “constantly in a state of combat readiness” and claimed that Russia’s nuclear triad — the ability to release the weapon from land, air or sea — is “more fashionable than any other triad. “
Putin said Russia’s strategy for nuclear weapons was “written” and that it would do so if someone threatened “the way of life of the Russian state, damaging our sovereignty and independence. “
The Russian leader said U. S. troops on Russian territory would be “interventionist” and would be treated the same “even if they appear to be on Ukrainian territory. “
Putin, however, downplayed the chances of a confrontation and said U. S. officials have announced they will send troops into Ukraine.
After describing his country’s nuclear readiness, Putin said: “But that does not mean, in my opinion, that they are in a position to start this nuclear war tomorrow. Well, they need it, but why do it? We’re in a position. “
Putin said he did not believe a military confrontation with the United States was inevitable and called President Joe Biden a “representative of the classical political school” to management officials who favor “strategic restraint. “The Russian leader said the war in Ukraine was a “matter of life and death” for his country. For the Americans, it was, according to him, “to improve their tactical position. . . in Europe” and to “maintain its prestige among its allies”.
Late last month, Putin threatened to take nuclear action against targets in Western countries if any of them tried to interfere militarily in Ukraine. The comments he made in his annual state-of-the-nation address to the Russian parliament were his ultimate specific nuclear expression. threats since the beginning of the war. Putin said a nuclear clash would lead to the “destruction of civilization,” while angrily criticizing Western leaders, saying, “They think it’s just some kind of cool animated movie for them. “The leader’s outburst follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s statements that the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine cannot be “ruled out. “Macron’s comments were immediately rejected by other members of the alliance, the United States added.
Putin warns of nuclear moves in the West if nations interfere militarily in Ukraine (Forbes)