Putin Expresses Hope to Avoid Nuclear Option in Ukraine

Russian state media released a preview of an upcoming interview with President Vladimir Putin this Sunday via its official Telegram channel.

In the preview, President Putin asserted that Russia possesses both the strength and the necessary means to bring the ongoing conflict in Ukraine to what he described as a logical conclusion.

Furthermore, he did not rule out the potential use of nuclear weapons to achieve Russia’s objectives in Ukraine, stating that such an option could be considered if the country were forced into a situation that demanded it. However, he also emphasized that, at present, the circumstances do not warrant the use of Russia’s nuclear arsenal, suggesting that the current stage of the conflict does not justify such an escalation.

While answering a Question about recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory Putin stated:

The latest remarks made by President Vladimir Putin come in the wake of a significant shift in Russia’s nuclear doctrine. Under the updated policy, the Russian Federation now permits the use of nuclear weapons in response to a conventional military attack by another state, if that state is supported by nations possessing nuclear arsenals.

This change effectively abolishes the long-standing “no-first-use” policy that Russia had adhered to for decades, marking a notable departure from its previous nuclear stance and raising concerns among international observers about the potential for escalation in future conflicts.