During a round of talks at the economic forum in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected the demand for preventive nuclear strikes, which was put forth by a radical hardliner. Putin did not view his counterpart, Ukrainian President Zelensky, as a worthy negotiating partner. The moderator of the discussion, political scientist Sergei Karaganov, who has shifted to a radical anti-Western stance, provoked Putin with his controversial suggestions.
Karaganov’s proposal for a preventive nuclear strike against Europe to assert Russia’s power was met with rejection by most experts. Putin emphasized the importance of human life and rejected the idea of escalating the war, especially with the use of nuclear weapons. He acknowledged the role of peace negotiations and the territorial gains made by Russia in the conflict.
Putin questioned the legitimacy of Zelensky’s presidency, claiming that his term had expired according to the constitution (although this was not true). Despite portraying Zelensky as a usurper, Putin expressed willingness to negotiate with Kiev through other legitimate representatives. Karaganov, who adopted a provocative stance, seemed to relish his role as the devil’s advocate during the discussions.
Earlier, Putin had delivered a speech on Russia’s economic development with the presidents of Bolivia and Zimbabwe in attendance. The forum highlighted the intertwining of military themes and traditional values with the economy and society. Family ties were emphasized as Putin’s daughters and officials’ children participated in panels, suggesting a growing importance of personal connections in the power structure. The discussions at the forum reflected the complex dynamics of the ongoing war and the evolving societal norms in Russia.