Russia to use 'all kinds of weapons' if Ukraine gets nuclear arms from West, Putin warns

ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN - NOV. 28, 2024 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “KREMLIN PRESS OFFICE” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY— Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday that if the West transfers nuclear weapons to Ukraine, Russia will respond with all available weapons. Speaking at a news conference in Kazakhstan's capital of Astana, Putin vowed to prevent the “appearance” of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. "In this case, (Ukraine gets nuclear arms from the West), we will use everything, I want to emphasize this, all means of destruction at Russia's disposal. That's it… we will not allow this," Putin told reporters, commenting on possible future actions by Russia if Kyiv receives nuclear weapons. The US media claimed on Wednesday that some American and European officials advocate providing Ukraine with atomic weapons. Putin stressed that "only irresponsible people" can support supplying nuclear weapons to Ukraine, people who "do not feel responsibility for the fates of their countries and peoples." Doing so would mean violating all international legislation about the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and Ukraine would acquire the status of a nuclear state with all ensuing consequences, he stressed. On the possibility Ukraine says it created nuclear weapons itself, Putin said he doubted this was possible, as Kyiv could only create "a dirty bomb" – an explosive containing nuclear components. Putin said Kyiv twice attacked Russia's Kursk region with a US-made ATACAMS missile after Russia first used its latest Oreshnik ballistic missile to hit a target in Ukraine. Asked about possible retaliatory strikes on Ukraine's decision-making centers using Oreshnik missiles, Putin said: "Anything is possible." (Footage by Kremlin Press Office /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)