President Vladimir Putin expressed on Sunday his hope that Ukraine will not resort to nuclear weapons.
In an interview preview with state media, which was shared with the Associated Press, Putin stated, “There is enough power and means to bring about the logical conclusion that what began in 2022 is the outcome that Russia needs.”
When questioned about Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil, he remarked, “We didn’t need to use those (nuclear) weapons…and I hope they don’t need them.”
Putin also refuted allegations that Russia initiated a full invasion of Ukraine during the 2014 Crimea annexation, referring to it instead as a “special military operation.”
“The country was not prepared for a frontal conflict with the whole of the collective west,” he added.
He suggested that a reconciliation between Ukraine and Russia is “inevitable.”
This statement follows a recent development where US officials finalized a significant mineral contract with Ukraine, aimed at providing safety guarantees amid ongoing tensions. The agreement allows the US access to various Ukrainian resources, including oil, natural gas, and rare earth minerals, in exchange for support.
However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the peace process between the two nations is still unfolding.
“I think we know where Ukraine is, and we know where Russia is now and where it is. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is,” he told Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Friday. “They are getting closer, but still far away.”
