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Zelenskyy on Putin’s nuclear threats: “No one knows what’s in his head”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced updates to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, detailing new conditions for using nuclear weapons. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded, saying no one can predict Putin’s actions, but he believes the Russian leader fears the consequences of such escalation.

byOlena Mukhina

29/09/2024

2 minute read

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Credit: Energoatom

Zelenskyy on Putin’s nuclear threats: “No one knows what’s in his head”

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has once again threatened the world with the possible use of nuclear weapons, but “nobody knows what’s in his head,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Fox News following his meeting with US presidential candidate Donald Trump.

On 25 September, Putin announced updates to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, introducing “clarifications” on the conditions under which Russia might use nuclear weapons.

According to these updates, Russia will now consider using nuclear weapons in two specific scenarios: first, in the case of “aggression against Russia by a non-nuclear state with the support or participation of a nuclear state,” and second, upon “receiving reliable information about the massive launch of air and space weapons” aimed at Russia, with these weapons crossing Russian borders.

Putin specified that the “air and space weapons” that could justify Russia’s use of nuclear weapons include strategic and tactical aviation, cruise missiles, drones, and hypersonic missiles.

“He (Putin) could use nuclear weapons against any country at any moment. Or not. I’m not sure if he will. I’m not sure… I’m sharing with you what I believe, but I’m not Putin, thank God,” Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president emphasized that he could not fully understand the Russian leader’s intentions.

“He’s not always rational. No rational person would come to Ukraine and do what he’s done. I think he loves his life and his control over others’ lives. That’s why I believe he’s afraid to use nuclear weapons,” the president said.

Earlier, the EU stated that Putin’s new nuclear threats against non-nuclear countries would not change the bloc’s stance on continuing its support for Ukraine.

EU spokesperson Peter Stano called the changes to Russian nuclear doctrine another sign of Putin’s reckless and irresponsible behavior.

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