Putin's First Official Mention of Prolonged War... "Nuclear Weapons Are a Means of Defense" (Comprehensive)

Occupied Ukrainian Territories "Must Be Protected" Emphasized
US "Investigation into Nuclear Weapon Use Possibility Is Irresponsible"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted for the first time at the possibility of a prolonged war regarding the Ukraine conflict. As Ukraine has begun striking Russian mainland with its own unmanned aerial vehicles (drones), he judged that a prolonged war for homeland defense is inevitable. Along with this, he once again pressured Ukraine and the West by stating that nuclear weapons could be used as a means of defense.

According to TASS news agency on the 7th (local time), President Putin said at the annual meeting of the Russian Human Rights Council broadcast on TV, "The special military operation could be a long process," adding, "However, (through this process) new territories have been created and the Sea of Azov has been transformed into an inland sea. This is a very important outcome for Russia." He then referred to the Ukrainian occupied territories annexed last September, emphasizing, "Now they are with us. We must protect millions of people."

This statement contrasts with his previous emphasis on an early end to the special military operation and ultimate victory despite the worsening situation in Ukraine. The British BBC analyzed, "President Putin, who had planned and emphasized a swift victory from the early stages of the war, hinting that the operation is becoming prolonged means he is acknowledging the unfavorable war situation and some defeat of the Russian military," and added, "He is trying to strengthen the justification for the war by emphasizing the historical ties of the occupied territories."

President Putin also mentioned the possibility of using nuclear weapons on this day. He stated, "Russia considers nuclear weapons as a means of defense and a potential counterattack tool. We are not crazy," emphasizing, "We have the most advanced nuclear weapons, but we do not want to wield them. We regard such weapons as a deterrent."

It is known that President Putin strongly controlled the agenda of the Human Rights Council meeting even before the meeting began that day. According to CNN, President Putin dismissed about ten members of the Russian Human Rights Council who questioned the situation on the Ukrainian front on the spot, and thoroughly controlled so that sensitive issues such as war casualties and supply problems were not questioned.

In this regard, the U.S. government strongly condemned President Putin's remarks related to nuclear weapons. Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said at a press briefing that day, "Whether it is a nuclear threat or a suggestion of the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons, such rhetoric is irresponsible," adding, "It is not only dangerous but also contrary to the fundamental spirit of the post-Cold War nuclear non-proliferation regime."

Within the European Union (EU), additional sanctions against Russia were discussed to block drone transactions between Russia and Iran and to cut off Russia’s war funding sources. On the same day, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced in a statement that she proposed the 9th round of sanctions against Russia to member states. The core of this proposal is to prevent Russia from exporting drone engines to third countries such as Iran and to impose additional sanctions on three banks, including the state-owned Russian Regional Development Bank (RDB), to cut off war funding sources.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.