Putin called the condition for the use of nuclear weapons

Russia does not need to use nuclear weapons, but this is theoretically permissible only if the territorial integrity and independence of the state are threatened. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the SPIEF plenary meeting.

He noted that everyone is waiting for Russia to start pushing buttons, but “there is no such need.” Putin explained that this was not necessary, because the enemy on the front line was not successful. “And, realizing that success is unlikely, they are provoking us to some tough actions in response, hoping to later point a finger at us and say: well, look how evil they are, how cruel they are and you can’t deal with them, and point this out to all our partners,” the President explained.

“The use of nuclear weapons is certainly theoretically possible. For Russia, this is possible if a threat is created to our territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty, the existence of the Russian state,” Putin stressed.

The Russian authorities have repeatedly spoken out about the inadmissibility of unleashing a nuclear war, noting that in the country’s military doctrine the use of nuclear weapons is possible when the very existence of the country is endangered. In August 2022, Putin declared that there could be “no winners” in such a conflict.

On May 26, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev, during a visit to Vietnam, said that Russia could launch a preemptive strike if Ukraine gets nuclear weapons.

At the same time, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov pointed outthat Russia has not changed its approach to the use of nuclear weapons in the conflict in Ukraine. According to him, Russia’s enemies are speculating on this topic and “trying to attribute the missing intentions to use nuclear weapons in connection with what is happening in Ukraine.”