Putin says Russia ramping up nuclear arsenal to preserve global balance of power
President Vladimir Putin of Russia says Moscow will continue to develop its nuclear weapons to preserve the balance of power in the world.
At a ceremony attended by graduates of military, police and intelligence service academies in the Kremlin, Putin said Moscow plans “to further develop the nuclear triad as a guarantee of strategic deterrence and to preserve the balance of power in the world.”
Putin has previously said that the “Western model” of global security has effectively collapsed and that the world requires a new and more stable system in its place.
In separate remarks on Thursday, the Russian leader also warned the West against "lowering the threshold for nuclear weapon use."
He said Moscow may justify the use of nuclear weapons if another nation uses them against Russia or if the "very existence of the state is put under threat."
Moscow, Putin said, is aware that a "potential adversary" is working on new elements "related to lowering the threshold of nuclear weapon use.”
He made the warning not long after NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said members of the military alliance are discussing increased nuclear readiness in the face of growing threats from Russia and China,
The Russian president did not rule out security talks with NATO states. He said on Friday that the Kremlin is ready “for a broad international discussion of these key, vital issues” with the US-led military alliance.
“Naturally, when they are ready for this,” the president said.
Earlier in the day, Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin is open to dialogue with the US-led military alliance, according to TASS news agency.
“We are open to dialogue, but to a broad, comprehensive dialogue that covers all dimensions, including the dimension related to the conflict around Ukraine, the involvement of the United States in this conflict.”
Russia launched the military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Ever since, the United States has provided Ukraine with more than $75 billion in military, and financial aid, while other NATO allies and partners have provided over $100 billion. Together, NATO allies account for 99% of all military aid to Kiev.
Moscow warned that Washington and its allies were taking the world to the point of nuclear warfare by giving Ukraine an unending supply of Western arms and ammunition.
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