President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky told CNN on Friday that “all countries in the world” should prepare for the possibility that Russian President Vladimir Putin could use tactical nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine.
Zelensky told CNN’s Jake Tapper in an exclusive interview from the presidential office in Kyiv on Friday that Putin might switch to using nuclear or chemical weapons because he doesn’t value the lives of the Ukrainian people. .
“It’s not just me – the whole world, all the countries have to worry because it may not be the truth, but it could be the truth,” Zelensky said in English.
“Chemical weapons, they should, they can do it, for them people’s lives, nothing. That’s why,” Zelensky said. “We should think don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid but get ready. But that’s not a question for Ukraine, not just for Ukraine but for the whole world, I think.”
Zelensky remained in Ukraine during the 50-day war with Russia, when Ukrainian forces resisted the Kremlin’s efforts to capture Kyiv and force Russia to refocus its war efforts in the eastern regions. east and south of the country, where Ukraine is expected. a significant escalation in fighting in the coming days.
One of Russia’s most important naval warships sunk in the Black Sea This week, Ukraine suggested it was the result of a missile attack, while Russia said it was caused by fire from detonating an ammunition depot.
At the same time, Russia is firing cruise missiles on the outskirts of Kyiv and still maintain the ability to target the Ukrainian capital with long-range weapons.
US officials have warned of the possibility that Putin, if backed into a corner, could switch to using tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine. CIA Director Bill Burns on Thursday said the CIA was watching “very closely” the possibility, stressing that the US had not seen any indication that Russia was preparing to take such a step.
Given the potential despair of President Putin and the Russian leadership, in the face of the defeats they face militarily, none of us can downplay the threat posed by the use of weapons. tactical nuclear weapons or low-yield nuclear weapons,” he said in public remarks at Georgia Tech.
Watch clip of the interview this.
You can check out more of the interview on “The Lead” at 4 p.m. ET, and the full interview will take place Sunday at 9 a.m. ET on “State of the Union.”
