Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a warning to the West that Russia is ready for nuclear war.
Putin made this declaration in an interview with Russian state television, NBC News reported.
“From a military-technical point of view, we are, of course, ready,” Putin said of nuclear war.
He also said Russia was more advanced in its nuclear prowess than the West. Even though he boasted about Russia’s nuclear capabilities, he said, “doesn’t mean the world is heading for nuclear war, and suggested that President Joe Biden’s experience ensures he understands the potential dangers of escalation,” NBC News reported.
Russia’s election is set for March 15-17 and Putin will likely be victorious for the fifth time, per the outlet.
Russia is currently embroiled in a war with Ukraine and Putin has said if Western countries send troops, the result may be nuclear war, NBC reported, adding Putin made this announcement during his state of the nation address last month.
Putin also made it clear in Wednesday’s interview that any country sending their troops to aid either side of the war were not welcome.
“But he said Biden is an old-school politician, and there are plenty of specialists in strategic deterrence in Washington to keep that from happening,” NBC reported.
There is not much of a chance for nuclear war to occur, Putin said.
“So I don’t think that here everything is rushing so head-on” to a nuclear confrontation,” he said, according to a transcript of the interview shared by the Kremlin. “But we are ready for this.”
He also said he never thought of attacking Ukraine with nuclear weapons, adding, “There has never been such a need,” per NBC.
NBC also reported that Putin’s comments on nuclear war comes at a time when he claims Russia is ready to talk peace with Ukraine.
“For us to negotiate now just because they are running out of ammunition is somewhat ridiculous on our part,” Putin said about ammunition shortages in Ukraine due to U.S. military aid halting in Congress.
“We are, however, ready for a serious conversation,’” he said, adding that Moscow would not just negotiate a pause in fighting that would allow Ukraine to re-arm, but one that would secure serious security guarantees for Russia, per NBC.
The White House announced Tuesday it would provide $300 million in additional weapons to Ukraine as the financial hold-up from Congress continues.
Lastly, when Putin was asked which way he was leaning financially the upcoming U.S. presidential election, he said he and Trump had fallen out of favor.
“He told me so in one of the conversations. Sorry, I’ll say it like he did, it’s just direct speech: ‘You want Sleepy Joe to win,’” Putin said.
“And then, to my surprise, they began to persecute him because we allegedly supported him as a candidate,” Putin said of Trump. “Well, it’s some kind of complete nonsense.”
