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

MOSCOW

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."

The Russian president also provided some details about the Oreshnik missile and said the power of its strike can be compared to the fall of a meteorite, able to destroy objects located deep below the ground level, noting that Russia further continues to develop the missiles as sees potential for adding to its capacity.

"The appearance of such weapons as the Oreshnik strengthens Russia's military position," he remarked.

Putin further said that several Western leaders want to resume contacts with him to discuss Ukraine and European issues. He reiterated his openness to settle the Ukrainian conflict by using diplomatic means, rejecting statements, and describing his June peace proposal to Ukraine as "conditions."

"I did not say those were preconditions for starting negotiations. I was just talking about our peace conditions," he said.

Asked about his expectations from Donald Trump, Putin called the US president-elect "a clever and experienced man" who is capable of finding a solution to problems, "especially after everything he had been through during the election campaign," including two assassination attempts.

Putin said "absolutely uncivilized means of struggle were used against Trump." For him, Trump is not out of danger.