Putin warns of full response with all available arms if Ukraine gets nukes

Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning on Thursday, threatening to use "all means of destruction" if Ukraine were to acquire nuclear weapons. His remarks, made during a press conference in Astana, Kazakhstan, reflect growing tensions over reports suggesting potential U.S. consideration of nuclear arms support for Ukraine.

Putin emphasized that any nuclear armament of Ukraine would be a "violation of all non-proliferation commitments" and promised a decisive response. While acknowledging the improbability of Ukraine independently developing nuclear weapons, he raised concerns about the potential creation of a "dirty bomb," which uses conventional explosives to spread radioactive material.

Historical Context and International Agreements

Ukraine inherited nuclear weapons after the collapse of the Soviet Union but relinquished them under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, in which Russia, the U.S., and the U.K. pledged security assurances. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has been widely viewed as a violation of these assurances. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has since criticized the decision to give up the weapons, arguing that it left the country defenseless and fueled its push for NATO membership—a point of major contention with Russia.

Broader Implications

This escalation in rhetoric underscores the fragile balance in Eastern Europe and raises questions about the future of non-proliferation norms. While there is no official confirmation from Washington about nuclear transfers, the possibility intensifies geopolitical stakes, with significant risks for global stability.