Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in a recent interview with state media that Moscow is prepared to use nuclear weapons to defend the country's existence. However, he emphasized that such a need has not arisen.
The interview, conducted by Rossiya 1 and RIA Novosti, coincided with the approaching Russian presidential elections on Mar. 15, where Putin is expected to secure a fifth term, per CNN. Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Putin cautioned that the deployment of US troops to Ukraine would be perceived as an intervention, treating them accordingly.
In this pool photograph distributed by Russia's state agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin gives an interview to TV host and Director General of Rossiya Segodnya (RIA Novosti) news agency Dmitry Kiselyov (not pictured) at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 12, 2024. (Photo : GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Is Nuclear War Happening Soon?
While acknowledging the US' development of nuclear forces, President Putin clarified that this does not imply an imminent nuclear war. The Russian head of state highlighted Russia's preparedness for such a scenario and emphasized its commitment to its principles.
"Therefore, I don't think that here everything is rushing to it (nuclear confrontation), but we are ready for this," Vladimir Putin remarked.
The US intelligence community, however, has expressed concerns about Russia's diverse nuclear weapons stockpile being viewed as a strategic tool in potential conflicts, especially given the challenges faced on the Ukrainian battlefield.
The intelligence community's annual threat assessment suggests Russia's struggles in Ukraine raise the risk of Putin resorting to nuclear weapons. The US has reportedly been rigorously preparing for the possibility of Russia using tactical battlefield nuclear weapons in Ukraine since late 2022.
Russia is actively expanding and modernizing its nuclear weapons delivery systems, including long-range missiles and underwater systems designed to penetrate or bypass US missile defenses. Moscow sees these systems as crucial for deterrence, controlling escalation, and countering US and allied conventional forces.
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Amid a US election year, geopolitical complexities intensify as the West grapples with supporting Kyiv against Russia's assertive advances, which have now secured nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. Kyiv contends it's defending against an imperial-style war of conquest threatening its national identity.
President Putin, justifying sending tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February 2022, frames it as bolstering Russia's security against a perceived hostile West. According to Reuters, Vladimir Putin recently reiterated Russia's readiness to use nuclear weapons, as outlined in the Kremlin's doctrine, responding broadly to threats involving nuclear or mass destruction weapons or conventional weapons jeopardizing the state's existence.
Ukraine Conflict Seems Far From Over
Vladimir Putin's nuclear warning coincided with an offer for talks on Ukraine, forming part of a new post-Cold War European security demarcation. The US remains skeptical of the Russian leader's readiness for substantial talks on Ukraine. A prior proposal by Putin for a ceasefire, aiming to freeze the conflict, was reportedly rejected by the US, emphasizing the challenges of diplomatic engagement.
US Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns emphasized the need for increased Western support to prevent further territorial losses for Ukraine, a situation that could embolden Chinese President Xi Jinping. Burns asserted US interest in assisting Kyiv in achieving a stronger position before entering talks.
Vladimir Putin insisted on written security guarantees for any settlement, expressing distrust but highlighting the necessity for satisfactory and spelled-out assurances. The evolving geopolitical dynamics underscore the complex negotiations and power play surrounding the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, TechTimes reported that US intelligence agencies' annual threat assessment found that Russia and China are using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to undermine the United States. The report to the Senate Intelligence Committee shows that Russia is considering how the 2024 US elections would affect Western backing for Ukraine. Russia is anticipated to use generative artificial intelligence to hide its election interference.
Meanwhile, China employs AI to marginalize rivals and deepen US societal divides. The 2022 US midterm elections saw a Chinese propaganda arm deploy TikTok accounts, similar to Russia's.
FBI Director Christopher Wray told a Senate committee that foreign rivals, including the US' most powerful, are researching AI to improve their operations. Despite uncertainties about artificial intelligence targeting voters, Wray worried about AI being used in the continuing information struggle against voters.
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