President Vladimir Putin assured on Friday that Russia does not need nuclear weapons to achieve success in Ukraine, signaling a strong intent to keep the conflict from escalating into a nuclear war.
This statement, made during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, comes amid the most deadly European conflict since World War II.
Putin has previously mentioned the potential use of nuclear weapons to defend Russia if threatened, a stance that the West has criticized as nuclear saber-rattling.
During the forum, when asked by Sergei Karaganov, a notable Russian analyst, about the necessity of holding a “nuclear pistol to the temple” of the West, Putin clarified that nuclear weapons would only be used under dire circumstances such as threats to Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“I don’t think that such a case has come. There is no such need,” Putin stated.
The context of these nuclear discussions includes the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and other Ukrainian regions that Russia now regards as its own.
This raises fears of a nuclear response if Kyiv attempts to reclaim these areas.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified attacks, including on Crimea, with the aim of reclaiming occupied territories.
Putin did not dismiss potential modifications to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which currently allows nuclear response to certain threats.
He mentioned that Russia could conduct nuclear tests if necessary, though he sees no current need for such actions.
Amidst escalating tensions, this discussion at Russia’s premier economic forum seemed designed to mitigate nuclear fears.
The backdrop is an intensification of the conflict, with both Russian and U.S. officials acknowledging its dangerous phase.
Karaganov, on Friday, referenced the Biblical destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah to question Putin about escalating actions in Ukraine to teach the West a “lesson.”
In response, Putin expressed his hope to avoid nuclear war, emphasizing the increasing effectiveness of Russian military forces.
Putin also noted Russian military advancements in Ukraine, including the capture of territory and enhancements in ammunition production, outstripping Western and Ukrainian efforts.
The discussion also touched on global responses, with Putin mentioning possible adjustments to Russia’s nuclear stance based on global events.
He reiterated the lack of current necessity for nuclear testing.
Simultaneously, U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in France at the 80th D-Day anniversary, reiterated U.S. support for Ukraine, drawing parallels between World War II and current threats from authoritarian regimes, while also noting eased restrictions on Ukraine’s use of U.S. weaponry.
Putin responded by threatening the deployment of missiles within reach of U.S. and European targets if Western long-range weapons were used more aggressively by Ukraine.