According to Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin (70), Russia will only use nuclear weapons in response to an attack. “We consider weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons, as a means of defense,” Putin said at a televised meeting of the Kremlin’s Human Rights Council on Wednesday.
Russia’s strategy is based on a policy of “so-called retaliation”. “If we are attacked, we will fight back,” he added.
“The danger of nuclear war is increasing”
In the past, the Kremlin chief had announced that Russian territory would be defended by all military means. Now, in view of the confrontation with the West as a result of the Ukraine conflict, he stressed that “the danger of nuclear war is increasing”.
Putin’s words about nuclear weapons come after a radical shift in strategy surrounding his propaganda. He called an emergency meeting of his Security Council. The government’s new propaganda narrative is no longer ‘denazification of Ukraine’, but ‘defense of Russia from the West’ – and of Ukraine.
Change of strategy in propaganda
“There is a possibility that the Russian authorities are promoting defense preparations in Russia to arouse patriotic feelings,” the British Defense Ministry said.
This happened after three airports in Russia were attacked by drones within two days. On Monday first Dyagilevo airport in the Ryazan region and Engels airport in the Saratov region. The place in Kursk followed on Tuesday. Three soldiers were killed. Putin could now argue that he must defend Russia.
US calls it “absolutely irresponsible”
In an initial reaction, the United States called the statements of the Kremlin chief frivolous talk. US State Department spokesman Ned Price declined to comment immediately on Putin’s announcement. At the same time, however, he stressed to the media that “we consider any casual talk about nuclear weapons to be absolutely irresponsible”. (EU)