Russia ready to use nukes if sovereignty threatened: Putin

MOSCOW/KYIV — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if there is a threat to its statehood, sovereignty or independence, voicing hope that the United States would refrain from actions that could trigger a nuclear conflict.

In an interview with Russian state television released on Wednesday, Putin described US President Joe Biden as a veteran politician who fully understands the possible dangers of escalation and said he does not think the world is heading to a nuclear war.

At the same time, he emphasized that Russia's nuclear forces are in full readiness and "from the military-technical viewpoint, we're prepared".