Turkish FM cautions against underestimating Putin’s nuclear rhetoric

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called on the international community to carefully assess the recent nuclear rhetoric from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In an interview with Turkish media, Fidan emphasized that dismissing Putin’s statements on nuclear weapons as mere threats would be overly simplistic, Caliber.Az reports.

"All conventional weapons that could have been used have already been employed [in Ukraine], yet the war continues. At this point, either peace will prevail, or the conflict could spiral out of control. This is why Putin's nuclear rhetoric must be taken seriously," Fidan stated.

The Turkish minister also commented on the role of the US and European arms supplies to Ukraine, suggesting that these actions have contributed to a situation that could be described as a global conflict.

Fidan pointed out that Türkiye has consistently warned of the risk of a broader, global war — a concern echoed by Putin. He noted that the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza have exacerbated existing divides, drawing certain global players closer while deepening polarization.

"The US began supplying weapons to Ukraine from the very start, and later Europe followed suit, which has turned them into active participants in the conflict. In a broader sense, this could be described as a global war," Fidan explained.

He stressed that the potential for nuclear escalation is not something to be taken lightly. "The risk of nuclear war is no joke," he added.

On November 19, President Putin approved an updated version of Russia’s nuclear doctrine, replacing the previous policy on nuclear deterrence. The new doctrine emphasizes that Russia's primary goal is to deter aggression from potential adversaries. Nuclear weapons are described as a "deterrent" and their use is framed as a last-resort measure. The doctrine also highlights Russia’s efforts to reduce nuclear threats and prevent conflicts from escalating into military or nuclear confrontations.

Moreover, the updated doctrine underscores the importance of ensuring that adversaries understand the "inevitability of retaliation" in response to any aggression against Russia or its allies.

By Tamilla Hasanova