Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday his country’s nuclear forces are constantly combat-ready and warned that any presence of U.S. troops on Ukrainian soil will be viewed as an escalation, the latest in a series of nuclear threats issued by the Russian leader since the start of his invasion of Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gives an interview to TV host and Director General of Rossiya ... [+]
In an interview that aired on the state-run broadcaster Rossiya-1, Putin responded to a question about Russia’s nuclear war readiness by saying: “From a military-technical point of view, we are, of course, ready.”
He added that the country’s nuclear armament is “constantly in a state of combat readiness” and claimed Russia’s nuclear triad—the ability to launch the weapon from land, air or under the sea—is “more modern than any other triad.”
Putin said Russia’s strategy for using nuclear weapons is “written down” and he would do so if someone was threatening the “existence of the Russian state, harming our sovereignty and independence.”
The Russian leader said American troops on Russian territory would be considered “interventionists” and they will be treated the same way “even if they appear on Ukrainian territory.”
Putin, however, downplayed the chances of a confrontation, saying U.S. officials have announced they will not be sending any troops to Ukraine.
After describing his country’s nuclear readiness, Putin said: “But this does not mean that, in my opinion, they are ready to start this nuclear war tomorrow. Well, they want to, but why do that? We are ready.”
Putin said he did not believe that a military clash with the U.S. was inevitable, and called President Joe Biden “a representative of the traditional political school” with administration officials who are in favor of “strategic restraint.” The Russian leader said the war in Ukraine was a “matter of life and death” for his country. For the Americans, he claimed it was “a matter of improving their tactical position…in Europe” and “maintaining their status among their allies.”