Turkey Says Russia May Use Nuclear Weapons. What Could Trigger It?

Russia could resort to nuclear weapons if the war with Ukraine evolves into an existential threat to the Russian state, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, outlining what he believes could push Moscow toward such a decision.

Speaking in an interview with Anadolu, published on August 8, Fidan said the risk would grow if a prolonged war of attrition spread beyond the battlefield and severely affected Russia itself.

“When the war of attrition at the front turns into attrition in the rear, the question is no longer whether you lose the war or not, but whether you continue to exist as a nation. You use the last means you have,” Fidan said.

According to Anadolu, Fidan suggested that if destruction inside Russia reached a critical level, Moscow could consider employing its final available option—an apparent reference to nuclear weapons.

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The Turkish foreign minister said the issue had also arisen during his meetings with Russian officials and Western partners.

“During my visit to Russia, it seemed that this issue could be raised, as there was talk that the public was demanding something like this. We spoke about it with our Western partners, and they know this as well. This is a dangerous situation. Everything that people say will not happen eventually happens,” Fidan said.

According to Anadolu, Fidan called on the international community to prevent further escalation, warning that the war is expanding geographically as well as in its objectives and methods. He added that the war could reach “an even higher level” if left unchecked.

Concerns over potential nuclear escalation are not new. In June, Reuters reported that prominent Russian nationalist figures had publicly urged Vladimir Putin to abandon diplomacy with the US and consider more drastic military measures, including the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons, following a series of successful Ukrainian long-range strikes inside Russia.

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