Putin says has negative attitude towards use of tactical nuclear weapons

ST. PETERSBURG. June 16 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he has a negative attitude towards the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons.

"Negative," Putin said at a plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, when the moderator asked him about his attitude towards the possible use of a tactical nuclear weapon as a form of nuclear deterrence.

Putin reiterated that Russia can use nuclear weapons in cases of threats to its territorial integrity, independence, sovereignty, or existence.

"Nuclear weapons are built to ensure our security in the broadest possible sense of this word, and the Russian state's existence. But firstly, we have no such need, and secondly, the very fact that [there is] speculation on this subject reduces the possibility of lowering the threshold for using this weapon," Putin said.