Prominent Vladimir Putin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov has chillingly insisted “nuclear war is inevitable” in his latest reckless threat towards Western allies of Ukraine.
Fears have grown over recent months about the possibility of Russia‘s two-year war escalating into a nuclear conflict as Western nations continue to supply Ukraine with aid and weapons
Speaking on his television programme, on which he regularly hurls threats towards NATO countries supportive of Kyiv, Solovyov said: “Nuclear war is inevitable either way. Let’s compare whose strategic weapons are bigger!”, according to a clip translated into English and shared on Russian Media Monitor’s YouTube channel on Saturday.
The watchdog group, created by journalist Julia Davis, posts content from state media in what it says is “an effort to combat Russian propaganda.”
Deputy Dean of World Politics at Moscow State University Andrey Sidorov, who also appeared on the programme, smiled nervously at the comments.
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But the show’s host continued: “We should just accept it. The only promise life keeps is that of death. A man wins when he stops fearing death.
“Listen, they keep challenging, us assuming we’re weak. ‘Why would you use the nukes? You can’t do it!’ They watch our program and say, ‘See? That’s right!’ Why then did our parents and grandparents spend insane amounts of money on a nuclear shield?”
Sidorov then warned: “We shouldn’t escalate like you are proposing.” Solovyov reportedly responded: “Oh, really? That is called weakness!” The Kremlin is yet to comment on Solovyov’s remarks.
Solovyov’s comments come just weeks after Russia‘s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that though the Kremlin’s nuclear war policy hasn’t changed, the situation is “constantly analysed.”
Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, said earlier this year that though Russia is prepared for nuclear war, it is not his intention to use nukes unless the “existence of the Russian state” is threatened or “our sovereignty and independence” is damaged.
Ukraine has been supplied with billions in military aid throughout the conflict by the UK the US and other NATO members.
But a nuclear strike against any of Ukraine‘s allies in NATO, including the US which has second biggest nuclear arsenal, would likely trigger the end of civilization, experts warn.
Article 5 of the military alliance’s founding document states that “an armed attack against one or more” of its members “shall be considered an attack against them all.”
Putin has insisted he has “no interest” in a conflict with NATO.