Putin again threatens to use nuclear weapons and claims Russia’s nuclear arsenal is better than that of U.S.

President Vladimir Putin stated Wednesday that Russia’s nuclear triad — its three-pronged arsenal of weapons launched from land, sea and air — was “way more” superior than that of america.

“Our triad, the nuclear triad, it’s extra trendy than every other triad. Solely we and the People even have such triads. And we now have superior way more right here,” Putin stated in an interview on state TV.

Putin stated Moscow’s nuclear weapons are absolutely prepared and “from the military-technical viewpoint, we’re ready” to make use of them in case there is a menace to “the existence of the Russian state, our sovereignty and independence,” in response to The Related Press.

His powerful speak comes earlier than a presidential election this week he is nearly assured of profitable to offer him one other six-year time period.

The Kremlin has touted its nuclear prowess all through the two-year offensive in Ukraine, warning Western nations final month there was a “actual” danger of nuclear disaster in the event that they escalated the battle.

The West has accused Russia of reckless nuclear rhetoric because it launched its assault on Ukraine in February 2022.

Moscow is believed to own over 5,000 nuclear warheads, the most important stockpile on this planet.

In the identical interview, Putin stated Western nations sending their troops to Ukraine would not change the scenario on the battlefield.

“If we speak about official navy contingents of overseas nations, I’m certain it is not going to change the scenario on the battlefield. That’s an important factor. Simply as supplying arms doesn’t change something,” Putin stated.

His feedback got here after French chief Emmanuel Macron final month declined to rule out placing boots on the bottom, a big shift in rhetoric as Ukraine struggles on the battlefield.

Whereas Macron since has doubled down on his remarks, a number of of Ukraine’s allies — together with Washington — have distanced themselves from the concept that shocked many in Europe.

Ukraine has ceded floor to Russian forces in latest months because it faces a myriad of shortages, from artillery to air defenses, partly as a result of a $60 billion help bundle stays held up within the U.S. Congress.

In a stopgap effort to offer what help it may, the Pentagon stated Tuesday it will rush about $300 million in weapons to Ukraine after discovering some price financial savings in its contracts.