Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if the matter concerns the existence of the Russian statehood, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview with Russian journalist Dmitry Kiselyov.

"Weapons exist to be used. We [i.e. Russia] have our own principles. What are they talking about? That we are ready to use weapons, including any weapon, including the one you mentioned, if it is about harming the existence of the Russian statehood, our sovereignty, independence? For us, everything is written in our strategy, we have not changed it," said Putin, answering the question about his readiness to use nuclear weapons in connection with the conflict in Ukraine.