Putin on nuclear weapons: we will strike in response to attack on Russia

He stated this at a meeting of Russia's human rights council.

Putin said that nuclear weapons are a "means of protection" for the Russian Federation and that the country's strategy is built around "hitting in response to aggression."

"Russia will not be the first to use nuclear weapons under any circumstances. If it does not use the first, then it will not use the second either, because the possibilities of striking a nuclear attack on the Russian Federation are more limited. But regardless of this, our strategy is defence. We consider nuclear weapons as defence. Our strategy is built around the so-called 'reciprocal strike.' That is, if we are struck, we will strike back," he said.

He also noted that Russia will protect its allies "by all available methods" if "the need arises."

• Zelenskyy said that the Russian Federation continues the war in order not to admit that Russian leader Vladimir Putin made a mistake when he attacked Ukraine.