Putin threatens Europe with nuclear war again
Putin holds the annual meeting of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights, via video link in Moscow, Russia December 7, 2022. (Reuters)
Russian President Vladimir Putin told attendees at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Friday that the country’s nuclear doctrine might change to allow for the increased usage of nuclear weapons.
“This doctrine is a living instrument, and we carefully watch what is happening in the world around us and do not rule out making some changes to this doctrine,” President Putin stated.
Putin stated to the media following his speech: “We are prepared to employ all available means if our sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened.”
“This should not be taken lightly,” he concluded.
Putin stated he does not believe that “such a case has arisen,” but he also emphasized that it is a mistake for the West to assume that Russia would never use its nuclear arsenal.
In the event, that another nation employs a nuclear weapon against Russia or if the “very existence of the state is put under threat,” Russia’s nuclear doctrine permits the use of nuclear weapons, Putin informed the media.
Valentina Matviyenko, the Federal Council chair and former governor of Saint Petersburg, stated on Friday that the “trends are not good.”
However, she does not believe that Russia is on the brink of a nuclear war with Ukraine or other countries.
“If there is a real threat to the existence of our state, a serious threat to our security and sovereignty,'” Matviyenko emphasized, “then of course we will use the entire arsenal, all the capabilities we have.”
In his March statements, Putin emphasized Russia is militarily and technically prepared for a nuclear war, stating: “Our forces are constantly in a state of readiness for war.”
“Do they not understand the danger of nuclear conflict? Such a war could result in the annihilation of civilization. A stable global order is impossible without a strong Russia. We believe it is important to strengthen ties with Arab countries and Latin America,” he further added.
The exact number of nuclear warheads is a state secret and therefore a matter of speculation. As of 2022, the Federation of American Scientists estimates that Russia possesses 5,977 nuclear weapons.
Russia’s arsenal is known to include the Status-6 Oceanic Multipurpose System (Poseidon nuclear torpedo) and the MIRV heavy thermonuclear intercontinental ballistic missile RS-28 Sarmat.
