Shoigu Says Russia Has No Need to Use Nuclear Weapons in Ukraine

15 August 2022, Russia, Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin stands with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during the opening of the Army 2022 International Military and Technical Forum. (Krelmlin/dpa)
15 August 2022, Russia, Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin stands with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during the opening of the Army 2022 International Military and Technical Forum. (Krelmlin/dpa)
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Shoigu Says Russia Has No Need to Use Nuclear Weapons in Ukraine

15 August 2022, Russia, Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin stands with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during the opening of the Army 2022 International Military and Technical Forum. (Krelmlin/dpa)
15 August 2022, Russia, Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin stands with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu during the opening of the Army 2022 International Military and Technical Forum. (Krelmlin/dpa)

Russia has "no need" to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, its defense minister said on Tuesday, describing media speculation that Moscow might deploy nuclear or chemical weapons in the conflict as "absolute lies".

"From a military point of view, there is no need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine to achieve the set goals. The main purpose of Russian nuclear weapons is to deter a nuclear attack," Sergei Shoigu said during a speech at an international security conference in Moscow.

"The media are spreading speculation about the alleged use of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in the course of the special military operation, or about the readiness to use chemical weapons. All these informational attacks are absolute lies."

Shoigu also alleged Ukrainian military operations were being planned by the United States and Britain, and that NATO had increased its troop deployment in eastern and central Europe "several times over".

Referring to the New START Treaty to control US and Russian nuclear arms, Shoigu said talks to extend the treaty were "a two-way street", and the situation around it was "difficult".

"A difficult situation is also developing with regard to the Treaty on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms. The agreement remains in force until 2026," Shoigu added.

"On the Russian side, obligations are being fulfilled, the declared levels of carriers and warheads are maintained within the established limits."



Erdogan Says Türkiye Could Take Joint Steps with Elon Musk on Tech

Türkiye’s President and leader of Justice and Development (AK) Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends an election campaign rally in Istanbul on March 24, 2024, ahead of the March 31 municipal elections. (AFP)
Türkiye’s President and leader of Justice and Development (AK) Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends an election campaign rally in Istanbul on March 24, 2024, ahead of the March 31 municipal elections. (AFP)
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Erdogan Says Türkiye Could Take Joint Steps with Elon Musk on Tech

Türkiye’s President and leader of Justice and Development (AK) Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends an election campaign rally in Istanbul on March 24, 2024, ahead of the March 31 municipal elections. (AFP)
Türkiye’s President and leader of Justice and Development (AK) Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends an election campaign rally in Istanbul on March 24, 2024, ahead of the March 31 municipal elections. (AFP)

President Tayyip Erdogan said Türkiye could take joint steps with Elon Musk on technology if opportunities for cooperation in that field arise, broadcaster TRT Haber reported on Wednesday.
US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Musk to a role aimed at creating a more efficient government, handing even more influence to the world's richest man who donated millions of dollars to helping Trump get elected.
"Musk is a businessman who works in the space and technology field," Erdogan told reporters on a return flight from Baku. "Technology isn't a field you can advance on your own, you absolutely need some cooperation. In the event cooperation opportunities arise in this field, steps can be taken with Musk," he was cited as saying.