Kremlin boss ignites after massive change in propaganda strategy
Putin is talking about nuclear weapons again
Vladimir Putin speaks again about nuclear weapons in a speech broadcast on Russian TV. While he says they’re only used for defense, he’s also using a dangerous new propaganda strategy.
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Vladimir Putin turns to his people – and talks about nuclear weapons again.
According to Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin (70), Russia will only use nuclear weapons in response to an attack. “We consider weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons, as a means of defense,” Putin told a televised meeting of the Kremlin’s Human Rights Council on Wednesday.
Russia’s strategy is based on a policy of “so-called retaliation”. “If we’re attacked, we’ll fight back,” he added.
«The danger of a nuclear war is growing»
In the past, the Kremlin chief had announced that Russian territory would be defended with all military means. Now, with a view to the confrontation with the West as a result of the Ukraine conflict, he emphasized that “the danger of nuclear war is growing”.
Putin’s words on nuclear weapons come after a radical shift in strategy around his propaganda. He called an emergency meeting of his Security Council. The government’s new propaganda narrative is no longer “denazification of Ukraine” but “defense of Russia from the West” – and of Ukraine.
Change of strategy in propaganda
“There is a possibility that the Russian authorities are promoting defense preparations within Russia to arouse patriotic feelings,” the British Ministry of Defense said.
This happened after three airfields in Russia were attacked by drones within two days. On Monday first the Dyagilevo airfield in the Ryazan region and the Engels airfield in the Saratov region. The place in Kursk followed on Tuesday. Three soldiers were killed. Putin could now start arguing that he must defend Russia.
USA finds it “absolutely irresponsible”
In an initial reaction, the United States described the Kremlin chief’s statements as frivolous talk. US State Department spokesman Ned Price declined to respond directly to Putin’s announcement. At the same time, however, he emphasized to the media that “we consider any casual talk about nuclear weapons to be absolutely irresponsible.” (eu)