Russia Has Means To Bring Ukraine War To 'Logical Conclusion,' But Hope Nuclear Weapons Won't Be Used: Putin

Russian president Vladimir Putin said that the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine had not arisen, and that he hoped it would not arise. 

In an interview broadcast on Sunday by Russian state television about his 25 years in power, Putin stated that Russia has the means and strength to bring the Ukraine conflict to a "logical conclusion," news agency Reuters reported.

Responding to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Russia, Putin stated: "There has been no need to use those [nuclear] weapons … and I hope they will not be required."

"We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires," he added.

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In February 2022, Putin had ordered thousands of troops into Ukraine, which Russia calls "a special military operation" against Ukraine. Though the Russian troops withdrew from Kyiv, the country controls almost 20 percent of Ukraine, including a majorty of east and south.

In recent weeks, Putin has signaled openness to negotiating a peace settlement, aligning with US President Donald Trump's stated intention to resolve the conflict through diplomacy, the report noted.

Concerns about potential nuclear escalation have influenced US policy decisions since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. Former CIA Director William Burns noted that in late 2022, there was a genuine risk that Russia could resort to nuclear weapons against Ukraine. Chinese President Xi Jinping had also warned Putin not to resort to nuclear weapons at the same time.

Trump has expressed a desire to resolve the conflict through diplomacy, prompting speculation about Putin’s willingness to pursue a peace agreement. However, the Kremlin has dismissed proposals from Kyiv and Washington for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.

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