Amid the ongoing counteroffensive by Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday confirmed that Russia has deployed its first tranche of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.
The plan was announced earlier when he gave an ambiguous assessment of Russia's willingness to use them.
Putin's statement on nukes
In a statement at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, President Putin said, “Nuclear weapons are created to ensure our security in the broadest sense of the word and the existence of the Russian state. But we, firstly, do not have such a need."
“Extreme means may be used if there is a threat to Russia's statehood. In this case, we will certainly use all the forces and means that the Russian state has at its disposal.”, he added,
Putin also rejected the possibility of reducing Russia's nuclear arsenal.
“We have more such weapons than the NATO countries. They know about it, and all the time we are being persuaded to start negotiations on reductions. The hell with them, you know, as our people say.”, he said.
Putin praised Russian prospects despite heavy sanctions
President Vladimir Putin on Friday highly praised Russia's prospects at the country's main international economic forum despite heavy international sanctions imposed because of waging war against Ukraine.
St. Petersburg International Economic Forum commenced on Wednesday and continues through Saturday.
Western officials and investors steered clear of the year's economic summit.
In light of the current situation, the Kremlin has banned journalists from “unfriendly” countries from covering the event.
Officials did not provide a list of the foreign businesses attending, but the programme for the more than 100 panel discussions showed a marked majority of the speakers hailing from Russia.
“We haven't turned onto the self-isolation path. Quite the opposite,” Putin said at the forum's plenary session.
"We have widened contacts with reliable and responsible partners in the countries and regions that serve as the engine, the drivers of the world's economy today. I'd like to reiterate: These are the markets of the future; everyone clearly understands it.”
