IAEA chief downplayed the possibility of a nuclear war amid Putin's threats

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi does not believe that we see, at the moment, the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons. He made these statement on Thursday amid the threats from Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, UNN reports with reference to Reuters.  

Details

Grossi downplayed the possibility of a nuclear war, speaking at a press conference in Tokyo on Thursday.

"I don't think we see, at the moment, conditions for the use of nuclear weapons, if we are referring to the war in Ukraine," said Grossi, who met with Putin last week.

Addendum

Last week, Grossi visited Russia and met with Putin. This week, Putin said in an interview that Russia is technically ready for a nuclear war and that sending American troops to Ukraine would be seen as a significant escalation of the conflict. Putin said he does not believe that things are heading for a nuclear confrontation, "but we are ready for it."

In a statement quoted by Reuters, Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the head of the Presidential Office, said he views Putin's nuclear warning as propaganda designed to intimidate the West.

"Realising that things are going the wrong way, Putin continues to use classic nuclear rhetoric. With the old Soviet hope - 'be scared and retreat!'" said Podolyak, who said he believed such talk showed Putin was afraid of losing the war.