President Vladimir Putin warned the West on Wednesday that Russia might use all available means, including nuclear weapons, to defend itself if its sovereignty or territorial integrity were threatened.
Putin argued that the West has often accused Russia of nuclear sabre-rattling, but said these accusations were unfounded. He noted that it was the United States that had used nuclear weapons against Japan in World War Two.
Speaking to senior editors of foreign news agencies at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin stated that Russia’s nuclear doctrine allows for the use of nuclear weapons in response to several types of threats.
“The West seems to believe that Russia will never use them,” Putin said. “We have a nuclear doctrine; look at what it says. If actions threaten our sovereignty and territorial integrity, we consider it possible to use all available means. This should not be taken lightly.”
Ties with the Taliban:
In response to a question about the Taliban government in Afghanistan, Putin said Moscow should strengthen relations with it.
“We have always believed in dealing with reality. The Taliban are in power in Afghanistan… We need to build relations with the Taliban government.” Putin’s comments came shortly after a Taliban delegation arrived in St Petersburg to attend the economic forum.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had announced last week that Moscow planned to remove the Taliban from its list of banned terrorist organizations, nearly three years after the group took power from a US-backed government.
“They are the real power in Afghanistan,” Lavrov said, during a visit by Putin to Uzbekistan. Moscow had designated the Taliban as a terrorist organization in 2003.
Putin’s statement could enhance diplomatic relations between Moscow and Kabul, though it falls short of officially recognizing the Taliban government. Russia has long maintained ties with the Taliban.
In 2018, the head of US forces in Afghanistan accused Moscow of supplying weapons to the group, which Moscow denied.
