In a recent address at an economic forum in St Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Moscow’s nuclear policy, stating that nuclear weapons would only be deployed if Russia’s existence was under threat. He emphasized that Russia currently has no need to use these weapons. Additionally, Putin confirmed that the country had already begun deploying tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, stating that this move serves as a reminder to the West that Russia cannot be strategically defeated.

This deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, which Putin had previously announced in late March, aims to expand Russia’s strategic influence and increase deterrence in response to the US-led NATO military alliance’s support for Ukraine. Putin claimed that this operation, which began last year, seeks to defend pro-Russian populations in eastern Ukraine against persecution by the Kiev regime. Moreover, he argued that Russia’s actions aim to “demilitarize” and “de-Nazify” Ukraine.

In his address, Putin warned the West against providing American-made warplanes to Ukraine. He asserted that Ukraine’s Western-supplied equipment, such as German-made Leopard tanks, had been regularly destroyed and claimed that if Kiev were to receive these aircraft, they too would meet the same fate. Putin went on to caution the West against deploying these aircraft against Russia outside of Ukrainian territory, as he believes this could lead to increased conflict and draw NATO further into the conflict.

Overall, Putin’s remarks serve to highlight Russia’s nuclear posture and its deployment of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, positioning the move as a response to perceived threats from NATO’s support for Ukraine. Putin’s warnings against supplying warplanes to Ukraine and the potential consequences of their deployment against Russian interests underscore the tensions in the region and the potential for the conflict to escalate further.

Source: Sputnik (edited by Al-Manar English website)