Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with his confidants for the 2024 election at Gostiny Dvor in Moscow, Russia January 31.
Mandatory Credit:	Maxim Shemetov/Reuters via CNN Newsource

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with his confidants for the 2024 election at Gostiny Dvor in Moscow, Russia January 31.
Mandatory Credit: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters via CNN Newsource

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Putin ready to use nuclear weapons if Russian state at stake; 'never been such a need’

Moscow is ready to use nuclear weapons if there is a threat to the existence of the Russian state but “there has never been such a need,” President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with state media published Wednesday.