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While Putin believes Russia will win the war conventionally, the threat of nuclear war has resurfaced in global discussions.
Just days after the Trump administration reportedly withdrew from its mediation role in Russia-Ukraine peace talks, nuclear tensions have returned to daily headlines.
On May 3, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated threats to attack Russia’s May 9 Victory Day parade, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, warned that Moscow could retaliate in a way that would leave Kiev “not live to see the day”—a clear reference to severe consequences.
On May 4, in an interview with Russian state media, President Vladimir Putin stated that “the need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine had not arisen” and that “he hopes it will never” happen. Putin expressed confidence in Russia’s ability to bring the conflict to a “logical conclusion.”
The Telegraph reported:
“Responding to a question about Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, Putin said: ‘There has been no need to use those (nuclear) weapons … and I hope they will not be required.’ ‘We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires,’ he said.”
Russia’s superior military and advanced conventional weapons, such as the Zircon Hypersonic Missile, are seen as key advantages in the war.
The AP noted that Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine permits nuclear retaliation against conventional attacks backed by nuclear powers. The report framed ongoing ceasefire negotiations with a pro-Ukrainian slant:
“Russia and Ukraine are at odds over competing ceasefire proposals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday, in comments made public Saturday, that Moscow’s announcement of a 72-hour ceasefire next week in Ukraine to mark Victory Day in World War II is merely an attempt to create a ‘soft atmosphere’ ahead of Russia’s annual celebrations.”
Zelensky instead pushed for a 30-day pause in hostilities, as initially proposed by the U.S., calling it a meaningful step toward ending the war.
In a related statement, Putin said:
“They [the West] wanted to provoke us, wanted to force us to make mistakes. There has been no need to use the weapons you just mentioned. I hope it won’t be necessary. We have enough strength and resources to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion.”
