Vladimir Putin tells state media that Russia is prepared to use nuclear weapons if they are threatened

In the event that Russian statehood, sovereignty, or independence are threatened, President Vladimir Putin said that his country is prepared to use nuclear weapons.

Putin said that Russia’s nuclear forces are prepared for a nuclear war, but he hoped that the US would avoid any escalation that may lead to one in an interview with Russian state television that was made public early on Wednesday.

Putin said there had never been a necessity for such when asked whether he had ever contemplated deploying nuclear weapons on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Additionally, he expressed confidence that Moscow would succeed in its objectives in Ukraine and said that negotiations were welcome, but any agreement would need unwavering assurances from the West.