“Nuclear weapons to maintain balance of power,” Putin says, as Russia plans to deploy ICBM near NATO border amid peace talks

2025-12-17 21:06 4 min

Russian ruler Vladimir Putin has stated that the Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile system will be placed on combat duty by the end of the year. His statements came while US President Donald Trump is making efforts to establish peace in Ukraine, UNIAN reports.

On 13 December, Oleh Ivashchenko, head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, stated that Moscow was preparing to deploy this system in Belarus, primarily to pressure the European Union and NATO, rather than Ukraine.

Putin has also praised the tests of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater vehicle, emphasizing that these systems will continue to undergo improvement.

According to the Russian leader, Moscow will also continue developing other types of strategic weapons, including hypersonic missiles.

Russian envoy in US says Trump is briefed on 14,000 km-range Burevestnik nuclear missile tests

Nuclear forces as the cornerstone of the Kremlin’s strategy

Putin has stated that Russia’s nuclear forces will play a key role in “deterring an aggressor” and maintaining the global balance of power. He called the development of strategic nuclear forces one of the state’s top priorities.

He has added that nuclear potential will remain Russia’s main instrument of influence on the international security architecture.

“As before, they will play a central role in deterring an aggressor and maintaining the balance of power in the world,” he emphasized.

War against Ukraine: rejection of compromise and threats of escalation

Putin has separately confirmed that Moscow will not abandon its goals of seizing Ukrainian territory. He said Russia seeks to achieve this either through diplomacy or by military means.

Additionally, he has pointed out "root causes of the war," which are the very existence of Ukraine's sovereignty.

“We would prefer to eliminate the root causes of the conflict through diplomacy, but if dialogue is refused, Russia will achieve this by military means,” the Kremlin leader said.

He has also claimed that the Russian army allegedly has the capability to increase the pace of its offensive along key axes.