Russian President Vladimir Putin gestures during a meeting with participants of the International Youth Festival, March 6, 2024 in Sirius territory, Sochi, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is technically ready for a nuclear war but cautioned that such an eventuality is not a near-term prospect.
"Therefore, I don't think everything is rushing to it [toward a nuclear war]," Putin said in comments translated by Google.
Putin said Russia could resort to using nuclear weapons if the state was in danger, noting that "Weapons exist in order to be used.
He said Russia would be ready to conduct nuclear tests if the U.S. did so, stating, "If they conduct such tests ...
Persons:
Vladimir Putin, Putin, Ukraine's, Joe Biden, Biden, — Holly Ellyatt
Organizations:
Festival, RIA Novosti, NATO, Google
Locations:
Sirius, Sochi, Russia, Stavropolsky Krai, Krasnodar Krai, Ukraine, U.S