Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia will prevent any attempt by Ukraine to acquire nuclear weapons and that it will use all of its weapons against Ukraine if such a scenario unfolds. “Russia will use all of its weapons against of Ukraine if Kiev acquires nuclear weapons,” he said characteristically.
The New York Times had reported last week that some unidentified Western officials suggested that US President Joe Biden give Ukraine nuclear weapons before he leaves office.
Putin, speaking in Astana, Kazakhstan, said it was virtually impossible for Ukraine to produce a nuclear weapon, but that it might be able to build some kind of “dirty bomb.”
The conditions for starting talks with Ukraine remain unchanged
The Russian president also said there were no conditions for the start of talks with Ukraine on a potential peace deal, but the conditions he set in June for a deal remain unchanged.
He had said in June that Russia would end the war in Ukraine only if Kiev agreed to abandon its NATO ambitions and hand over all four provinces claimed by Moscow, demands that Kiev quickly dismissed as tantamount to surrender.
He criticized Germany for using illegal measures in relation to the treatment of Rosneft’s assets
The Russian president also said Germany had used “illegal measures” and “unacceptable” methods in handling assets belonging to Russia’s biggest oil producer Rosneft, the Interfax news agency reported.
The future of Rosneft’s German assets, which include a 54.17% stake in the PCK Schwedt refinery, is unclear after Berlin effectively took control of them.
Reassuring about the recent devaluation of the ruble
Referring to the devaluation of the ruble in recent days, the Russian president said there was no reason to panic, saying the sometimes sharp fluctuations in the Russian currency were related to budget payments and seasonal changes.
The ruble started to recover today after falling more than 7% against the US dollar, hitting 115 per dollar in the previous session, after the central bank said it would stop buying foreign currency to stabilize financial markets.
Putin was speaking in Astana, Kazakhstan, after a summit with leaders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a security alliance of former Soviet countries.
Putin for Trump
Putin has praised US President-elect Donald Trump, calling him an “experienced and intelligent politician” while expressing concern for his safety following attempts on his life.
Speaking to reporters after a summit in Kazakhstan, he said he was shocked by the attacks on Trump’s family and children by political opponents during the US election campaign.
“As for the newly elected (US) president, he is ultimately an intelligent man, who already has a lot of experience. I think he will find a solution,” Putin said during a press conference on the sidelines of his visit to Kazakhstan.
He also said he was shocked by the way Trump’s family and children had been criticized by political opponents during the US election campaign.
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## Putin Threats and Peace Talks: An Expert Analysis
**World Today News Exclusive Interview**
**Senior editor:** Welcome, Dr. Anya Petrov, Professor of International Relations at King’s College London.
**Dr. Petrov:** Thank you for having me.
**Senior Editor:** President Putin recently stated that Russia would use “all its weapons” against Ukraine if Kyiv acquired nuclear weapons. This follows reports about the possibility of the US providing Ukraine with nuclear capabilities. Could you shed some light on the possibilities and dangers of this situation?
**Dr. petrov:** This is a highly concerning scenario with multiple layers of complexity. First, the likelihood of Ukraine acquiring nuclear weapons in the near future is slim. Their existing infrastructure was dismantled after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and building a functional nuclear program would take years, if not decades, and would require considerable international assistance.
Though, Putin’s threat should be taken seriously. It reflects the increasingly desperate rhetoric emanating from Moscow as Russia struggles in Ukraine. It also signals the potential danger of escalation.
**Senior Editor:** Do you believe the reports of potential US nuclear support for Ukraine are credible?
**Dr. Petrov:** The US governance has categorically denied these reports. Providing Ukraine with nuclear weapons would be a tremendously perilous move, possibly triggering a global nuclear arms race and significantly increasing the risk of a devastating conflict.
it’s crucial to understand that the vrey suggestion, even informally, can be perceived as a direct threat by Russia and further escalates the already tense situation.
**Senior Editor:** What about Putin’s insistence that Russia’s conditions for peace talks remain unchanged? What are these conditions and how realistic are they?
**Dr. Petrov:** Putin’s conditions for peace, set out in June, include Ukrainian recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea, Ukrainian neutrality, and demilitarization. These demands are essentially unacceptable to Ukraine and its allies.
Putin’s unwillingness to budge on these terms suggests that negotiations are highly unlikely to begin anytime soon. It also reinforces the view that Russia’s aim is not simply to achieve territorial gains but to effectively subjugate Ukraine.
**Senior Editor:** What are the potential ramifications for the future if peace talks remain stalled and the conflict continues?
**Dr. Petrov**: The longer the war continues, the more damage it will inflict on both Ukraine and Russia, both economically and socially. we can expect a further humanitarian crisis, significant geopolitical instability, and a deepening breakdown in relations between Russia and the West.
Ultimately, a negotiated solution is the only way to end this conflict. However, with both sides dug in and mistrust running high, the path to the negotiating table seems very long indeed.
**Senior Editor:** thank you, Dr. Petrov, for your invaluable insights into this complex and alarming situation.
**Dr. Petrov:** Thank you.
