Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview that is to be broadcast by Russian state television that the need for nuclear weapons in Ukraine have not arisen and that he hopes that he will not need it.

Specifically, in an excerpt from an interview published on the Telegram, Putin said Russia has the power and means to lead the conflict in Ukraine to a “reasonable result”.

Responding to a question from state television journalist on Ukrainian attacks in Russia, Putin said: “There has been no need to use these (nuclear) weapons … and I hope it will not need.”

“We have enough power and the means to drive what started in 2022 to a reasonable result under the terms of Russia.”

In February 2022, Putin ordered tens of thousands of Russian troops invading Ukraine as part of an action that the Kremlin describes as a “special military operation”.

Although Russian troops were largely repelled by Kiev, Russian forces are currently controlling about 20% of Ukraine, including a large part of the southern and eastern parts of the country.

Putin has appeared in recent weeks willing to negotiate a peace deal to end the war, amid pressures by US President Donald Trump, who has said he wants to end the conflict through the diplomatic road.

The fear of nuclear escalation, however, has still worried US officials since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022. Former CIA Director William Berns has even stated in the past that in late 2022.