Russian dictator putin stated that russia is technically prepared for nuclear war, and if the U.S. deploys troops to Ukraine, russia will consider it a "significant escalation", as reported by russian media.
"From a military-technical point of view, we are, of course, ready. Our nuclear missiles are constantly in a state of readiness", - putin said in an interview with propagandist dmitry kiselev, responding to a question about whether the country is truly prepared for nuclear war.
According to putin, if the U.S. decided to send its troops to Ukraine, russia would view it as an intervention, similar to the deployment of American forces on russian territory.
"I've said that Biden is a representative of the traditional political school... There are plenty of experts in Russian-American relations and strategic deterrence besides Biden and others. So I don't think everything is rushing headlong here, but we are ready for it", - putin concluded.
At the same time, the russian president stated that there was never a need to use tactical nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine. When asked whether he had never entertained such a thought, putin responded, "No, why?"
"We have our principles. They say that we are ready to use any weapons, including, if it comes to the existence of the Russian state, causing harm to our sovereignty and independence. It's all written in our strategy; we haven't changed it", - Putin reassured.
Putin also mentioned that if the United States conducts nuclear tests, russia may do the same.
Earlier reports indicated putin's repeated statements about readiness for negotiations with Ukraine but expressed "concern" for russia's security.