Zelenskyy responds to Russia's nuclear threat talk
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
Russia's statements regarding the transfer of nuclear weapons to Ukraine are political pressure and preparation for the next trilateral meetings on a peace agreement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says during a press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
Read also: China dismisses Russian claims of French, British nuclear weapons transfer to Ukraine
"Usually, when Russia fails to win on the battlefield, they start looking for nuclear weapons on Ukrainian territory. Unfortunately, Ukraine does not have nuclear weapons. You know all the circumstances surrounding when Ukraine had these weapons and when it lost them. Thanks to what and thanks to whom this happened," Zelenskyy says.
In his opinion, such statements are political pressure and preparation for trilateral meetings between Ukraine, the US, and Russia.
It may also be a response to media reports that Europe is considering a nuclear umbrella.
"Maybe it's just rhetoric, Russia's response. I think it's always dangerous when they play with these words — nuclear weapons. And I would really like other nuclear powers, especially the US, to respond to this and, in my opinion, send them the appropriate messages," the President says.
Kremlin's nuclear rhetoric
On February 24, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service claimed that the United Kingdom and France were allegedly trying to transfer nuclear weapons or dirty nuclear bombs to Kyiv. At the same time, no evidence was provided.
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev threatened that Russia could allegedly use nuclear weapons against the UK, France, and Ukraine if necessary.
During a meeting of the so-called FSB collegium, Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine could allegedly use nuclear weapons against Russia.
Meanwhile, the UK said that Putin was deliberately lying about London's alleged intentions to provide Ukraine with nuclear weapons. In this way, he is trying to divert attention from Russia's crimes.
