MOSCOW, March 13 – President Vladimir Putin cautioned the West on Wednesday, asserting that Russia is technically prepared for nuclear conflict and any U.S. deployment of troops to Ukraine would constitute a significant escalation of the crisis.
Putin’s remarks come just ahead of a March 15-17 election, virtually ensuring him another six-year term in office. He emphasized that while the scenario of nuclear war was not imminent, he saw no necessity for the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
Responding to inquiries about Russia’s readiness for nuclear warfare, Putin, 71, stated, “From a military-technical perspective, we are, indeed, prepared.” He underscored that Russia would interpret any American troop presence in Russian territory or Ukraine as intervention.
“In the U.S., there are ample specialists in Russian-American relations and strategic restraint,” noted Putin, the ultimate authority in the world’s largest nuclear-armed nation. “Therefore, I don’t anticipate an immediate escalation to nuclear confrontation, but we are prepared for it.”
Putin’s nuclear warning coincided with another offer for discussions on Ukraine within a revised framework for European security post-Cold War. However, the U.S. maintains that Putin is not genuinely interested in substantive negotiations regarding Ukraine.
The conflict in Ukraine has precipitated the most severe crisis in Russia’s relations with the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. Putin has repeatedly cautioned that Western involvement in Ukraine risks triggering nuclear conflict.
Putin’s series of public nuclear warnings to the U.S. are aimed at dissuading greater intervention in Ukraine, a move the Kremlin contends could lead to a global conflict.
While Washington asserts there have been no major changes to Russia’s nuclear stance, Putin’s public statements on nuclear matters have raised concerns in the U.S.
Putin reiterated that the Kremlin’s nuclear doctrine outlines the conditions for employing such weapons, primarily in response to a nuclear or mass destruction weapons attack or when Russia’s existence is directly threatened by conventional weapons.
“Weapons exist to be used,” Putin asserted. “We adhere to our principles.”
Reports indicate U.S. concerns that Russia might utilize tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Putin, however, stated he had never contemplated employing nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
On the topic of negotiations, Putin expressed Russia’s readiness for serious discussions on Ukraine. However, he stressed the need for negotiations grounded in reality rather than delusions.
Last month, Putin’s proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine was rebuffed by the U.S. after intermediary contacts. CIA Director William Burns warned that without proper support for Ukraine, Kyiv could lose further territory to Russia, emboldening Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Burns emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine to strengthen its position before negotiations. Putin echoed a sentiment of distrust, asserting Russia’s need for written security guarantees in any settlement.
“I trust no one, but we require guarantees, and these guarantees must be clearly defined to our satisfaction,” Putin remarked.