Putin says Russia could use nuclear weapons 'if threatened' – World

ST PETERSBURG: President Vladimir Putin warned the West on Wednesday that Russia could use all available means, including nuclear weapons, to defend itself if its sovereignty or territorial integrity were threatened.

Putin said the West had repeatedly accused Russia of wielding nuclear weapons, but said that was false and pointed out that it was the United States that used nuclear weapons against Japan during the Second World War. World War.

Putin was speaking to editors of foreign news agencies on the sidelines of the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg. He said Russia's nuclear doctrine allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to a number of threats.

“For some reason the West believes that Russia will never use it,” Putin said. “We have a nuclear doctrine, look what it says. If someone's actions threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we consider it possible to use all means at our disposal. This should not be taken lightly, superficially.

Describes the Taliban government as a “reality” and promotes relations with it

Ties with the Taliban

In response to a question about the Taliban government in Afghanistan, the Russian president said Moscow should “build” relations with it.

“We always thought we had to face reality. The Taliban are in power in Afghanistan… We must build relationships with the Taliban government. Putin's comments came hours after a Taliban delegation arrived in St. Petersburg to attend the economic forum.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last week that Moscow planned to remove the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organizations, almost three years after the group took power from a US-backed government. United.

“They are the real power” in Afghanistan, Lavrov said at the time, during a visit by Putin to Uzbekistan. The Taliban were designated a terrorist organization by Moscow in 2003.

The Russian leader's statement could further strengthen diplomacy between Moscow and Kabul, but cannot lead to official recognition of the Taliban government. Russia has had ties with the Taliban for years.

The head of US forces in Afghanistan claimed in 2018 that Moscow was supplying weapons to the group, accusations Moscow denied.

Published in Dawn, June 6, 2024