In a statement on Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin warned the West that Russia was prepared for nuclear conflict and cautioned that deploying U.S. troops to Ukraine would escalate tensions significantly.
Speaking ahead of an upcoming election on March 15-17, which is expected to extend his presidency by another six years, Putin emphasized that while Russia was technically ready for nuclear war, he saw no immediate need for such action in Ukraine.
“From a military-technical perspective, we are, of course, prepared,” Putin, 71, stated during an interview with Rossiya-1 television and news agency RIA, addressing questions about Russia’s readiness for nuclear conflict.
Putin underscored that any deployment of American troops to Russian territory or Ukraine would be considered an intervention, asserting Moscow’s claim to annexed regions of Ukraine as integral parts of Russia.
“There are enough specialists in the field of Russian-American relations and strategic restraint,” Putin remarked. “Therefore, I don’t believe that we are rushing into a nuclear confrontation, but we are prepared for it.”
The Biden administration has reiterated its stance of refraining from sending troops to Ukraine but emphasized the need to approve a stalled security aid bill to support Ukrainian forces. However, it did not immediately respond to Putin’s remarks on Wednesday.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior Ukrainian official, dismissed Putin’s nuclear warning as propaganda aimed at intimidating the West, suggesting it reflected Putin’s apprehension about the war’s outcome.
Putin’s comments come amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West over Ukraine, with the conflict triggering the most significant crisis in their relations since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Despite warnings of nuclear risks, Putin has previously stated his reluctance to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
As the U.S. and its allies contemplate how to aid Ukraine against Russia’s aggression, Putin reiterated Russia’s willingness to engage in talks on Ukrainian matters as part of a broader redefinition of European security. However, the U.S. remains skeptical of Putin’s readiness for meaningful negotiations.
CIA Director William Burns cautioned this week that without increased Western support, Ukraine could lose more territory to Russia, emboldening Chinese President Xi Jinping. Burns emphasized the importance of strengthening Ukraine’s position before engaging in negotiations.
In response to potential settlement talks, Putin emphasized Russia’s need for written security guarantees to ensure its satisfaction and underscored his distrust of other parties involved.
