Putin: "Not ruling out the nuclear option"

Against the background of the tensions between Russia and the West surrounding the war in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin stated this morning (Wednesday) that his country does not rule out the use of nuclear weapons if it detects a threat to Moscow. This was said to the Russian state television network and published by AP.

Putin stated that he hopes the US would prevent any escalation that could trigger a nuclear war, but emphasized that Russia's nuclear forces are ready for this option. The Russia leader was asked in an interview whether he had ever considered using nuclear weapons against Ukraine, to which Putin replied that there was no need for it.

He also emphasized that he would be able to achieve Russia's goals in the war against the Ukrainians and indicated that he was ready for negotiations in exchange for guarantees from the West.