Putin Comments on Nuclear Space Plans

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied that the Kremlin plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space.

The White House last month said that Russia has the capability for an anti-satellite space-based weapon, though stressed that it is not operational. But, according to the Kremlin-controlled news agency Tass, Putin said in an operation meeting with his Security Council: "We have already discussed the planted stories made by some figures in the West about our alleged plans to deploy nuclear weapons in outer space.

"I say 'allegedly' because, as I have already said and as we know very well, we have no such plans."

Newsweek approached the State Department for further comment.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on February 14: "Though Russia's pursuit of this particular capability is troubling, there is no immediate threat to anyone's safety."

He added: "We're not talking about a weapon that can be used to attack human beings or cause physical destruction here on Earth.''

A day later, President Joe Biden said there "is no nuclear threat to the people of America or anywhere else in the world with what Russia's doing at the moment."

He said that any potential Russian pursuit of using nuclear weapons in space "relates to satellites in space and damaging those satellites potentially."

Biden added that "there's no evidence that they have made a decision to go forward with doing anything in space either."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the U.S. was attempting to gain support for military aid to Ukraine by making the claims about Russia's anti-satellite capability.

Ukraine says it needs American help to continue the fight against Putin's invading forces. It has suffered a number of recent setbacks, including withdrawing from multiple settlements near the captured Donetsk city of Avdiivka.

The Biden administration has urged the House to push forward a $95 billion foreign aid deal in the Senate that contains around $60 billion for Ukraine.

But Speaker Mike Johnson has said it would be "dead on arrival" in the House and hardline Republicans remain concerned about spending in Ukraine instead of on the border.

There are ongoing attempts to find another way of bringing the bill to the House floor.

Developments This Week

While he has denied plans to deploy nuclear weapons in outer space, Putin said on Thursday that Russia's "strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness."

He added: "Russia won't let anyone interfere in its internal affairs."

Putin's comments came after the Kremlin objected to remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron, who suggested NATO troops could be deployed to Ukraine specifically in a support and advisory capacity.

The West "must realize that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory," Putin said. "All this really threatens a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons and the destruction of civilization."

The State Department responded to the speech accusing Putin of "irresponsible rhetoric."

In a statement to Newsweek at the time, it added: "We will not be intimidated by Putin's rhetoric ... Putin knows what would happen if he uses this kind of weapon—we've communicated directly and privately with Russia about the consequences."

The Financial Times also reported on Wednesday that allegedly leaked military documents said Russia's threshold for using nuclear weapons was lower than previously thought. The documents were dated from 2008 to 2014.

Newsweek has approached the Russian defense ministry for comment.

There are no "indications that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons and [we] will continue to monitor this carefully," the State Department told Newsweek on Thursday.