Zelenskyy Responds to Putin’s Nuclear Threats: “He Loves His Life”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s recent nuclear threats in an interview with Fox News.

“He could use nuclear weapons against any country at any time, or perhaps not. I’m not certain. I’m sharing my thoughts with you, but fortunately, I’m not Putin,” Zelenskyy remarked. He added that Putin’s erratic behavior raises concerns about his intentions. “He’s not always adequate, as no reasonable person would invade Ukraine and commit the actions he has.”

Zelenskyy also suggested that while Putin might threaten nuclear force, he likely fears the consequences. “I believe he enjoys his life and the control he exerts over others. For that reason, I think he would hesitate to use nuclear weapons.”

Putin recently proposed revisions to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, suggesting that aggression against Russia by a non-nuclear state, supported by a nuclear-armed country, could be viewed as a joint attack. The Russian leader has also claimed that Russia’s nuclear arsenal is more powerful than that of NATO.

Analysts, including those at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), have assessed that Putin’s nuclear rhetoric is intended to deter Western military support for Ukraine. ISW has long argued that these threats are a form of self-deterrence and do not reflect a genuine intent to deploy nuclear weapons.

Ukraine’s Presidential Office also dismissed Putin’s latest statements as another instance of nuclear blackmail, with Zelenskyy asserting that the Russian leader’s unpredictable behavior continues to be a cause for concern in the international community.

Western responses to Putin’s nuclear threats have been swift, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemning them as “irresponsible” and European Union officials reaffirming their commitment to supporting Ukraine, undeterred by Russia’s nuclear rhetoric.