Russia will prevent Ukraine from obtaining nuclear weapons and is determined to use all means at its disposal to do so. Russian President Vladimir Putin said this at a press conference in the Kazakh capital Astana on Thursday.
“What should we do if the country we’re basically at war with should become a nuclear power? In such a case, we will use – and I emphasize this – all offensive means at Russia’s disposal. We won’t allow it. We will follow their every step,” declared the head of the Kremlin.
He added that if Ukraine acquired nuclear weapons, it would violate all of its commitments in the area of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
According to Putin, how, when and with what weapon Russia will respond will depend on the targets chosen by the Ministry of Defense, but they will be significant targets.
The New York Times wrote last week that some American and European officials have reportedly suggested that the US provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons before President Joe Biden leaves office.
Putin stated that Ukraine is practically incapable of producing a nuclear weapon, but it might be able to produce some kind of “dirty bomb”.
The Russian president did not rule out that in the event of continued attacks by Ukrainian forces with missiles supplied by Western countries, Moscow may deploy the new Oreshnik hypersonic missile against the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
“We do not rule out the use of Orešnik against the army, military-industrial facilities or decision-making centers in Kyiv as well,” Putin said. He did not specify whether he meant military or political centers.
President-elect Donald Trump was described by Putin as an “intelligent person” who is able to solve problems. “As for the re-elected president, he is indeed an intelligent person, quite experienced. I think he will find a solution,” Putin said, apparently referring to Trump’s campaign statements that he could resolve the conflict in Ukraine in 24 hours.
Putin ended his two-day visit to Kazakhstan on Thursday. On Thursday, he took part in the meeting of the Council for Collective Security of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (OZKB) in Astana.
Source: spravy.pravda.sk
