Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a statement that the need for the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine has not arisen and that he hopes that it will never arise. N1.
In part of an interview with Russian state television published on Telegram, Putin said that Russia has the strength and means to bring the conflict in Ukraine to a "logical conclusion."
Responding to a question from a state television reporter about Ukraine's attacks on Russia, Putin said: "There was no need to use those (nuclear) weapons ... and I hope there will be no need."
"We have enough strength and resources to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome that Russia demands."
In February 2022, Putin ordered tens of thousands of Russian troops into Ukraine, in what the Kremlin calls a “special military operation” against its neighbor.
Although Russian forces have been pushed back from Kiev, they currently control about 20 percent of Ukraine, including much of the south and east.
Putin has expressed his willingness to negotiate a peace settlement in recent weeks, as US President Donald Trump has said he wants to end the conflict diplomatically.
The fear of nuclear escalation has been a factor in the thinking of US officials since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022.
Former CIA director William Burns said there was a real risk in late 2022 that Russia could use nuclear weapons against Ukraine.
Source: N1
Photo: EPA/ALEXANDER KAZAKOV
