PUTIN 'hopes' that nuclear weapons will not be needed in Ukraine



Monday, May 5, 2025 - Russian President, Vladimir Putin has said there is currently no need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, adding that he “hopes” such measures will not be necessary as the war enters its third year.

In a documentary aired by the state-run Rossiya 1 television channel on Sunday, May 4—marking his 25 years in power, Putin reaffirmed Russia’s military capability and stated his country has “enough strength and means” to bring the conflict to what he called a “logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires.

Asked by journalist Pavel Zarubin whether Russia would respond to Ukrainian attacks on its territory with nuclear force, Putin replied: “There has been no need to use those [nuclear] weapons … and I hope they will not be required.”

His remarks came ahead of a unilaterally declared three-day ceasefire from May 8–10, announced by Moscow to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Putin presented the ceasefire as a test of Ukraine’s willingness to consider long-term peace, though previous overtures have failed to yield results.

Earlier this year, Russia dismissed a joint proposal from Kyiv and Washington for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, citing what it called “unrealistic preconditions.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed deep doubts about Moscow's intentions. Speaking during a visit to the Czech Republic, Zelenskyy said he had “no belief” that Russia would honor the ceasefire.

“This is not the first time Russia has promised to halt fire, only to continue its attacks,” Zelenskyy said at a joint press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel. 

“Today’s military report shows Russia launched over 200 assaults on Saturday alone—the highest in recent months.”

Pavel, a former NATO general, added that Russia could end the war with “a single decision” by Putin, but noted that the Kremlin had shown no genuine “willingness” to pursue peace.

Even as ceasefire discussions surface, fighting continues across multiple fronts. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched two ballistic missiles and a total of 165 aerial threats including drones and decoys overnight. Of these, 69 were intercepted and 80 likely neutralized through electronic jamming.

Tragically, two people were killed in Russian strikes on Sunday, one each in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, Ukrainian officials confirmed. A drone strike on the capital, Kyiv, left 11 people injured, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.

On the other side, Russia’s Defence Ministry said it intercepted 13 Ukrainian drones overnight. Meanwhile, in Russia’s Bryansk region, officials said a Ukrainian strike destroyed much of an electrical equipment factory near the border, though no casualties were reported.

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