UPDATE - Putin says Russia ready for nuclear war from 'military-technical' point of view

ADDS FURTHER REMARKS FROM RUSSIAN PRESIDENT; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that his country is ready for a nuclear war from a "military-technical" point of view.

“From a military-technical point of view, we are, of course, ready. They (Russian forces) are constantly in a state of combat readiness,” Putin told the state-run Rossiya-1 television in an interview.

He said it is a “generally accepted thing” that Russia’s nuclear triad -- land, sea, and air -- is more modern than any other, adding that only Moscow and Washington have such a triad.

“We have made much more progress here. Ours is more modern, with all the nuclear components. In general, in terms of carriers and charges, we have approximately parity, but ours is more modern,” he said.

Commenting on the possibility of conducting nuclear tests, Putin said Moscow is aware of the consideration of such tests by the US based on the belief of some experts that it is not enough to test warheads "only on a computer."

“If they conduct such tests, I don’t exclude it, it’s not necessary, we need it or not, we still need to think about it, but it’s possible that we can do the same,” he said.

- Negotiations with Ukraine

In response to a question if there could be negotiations to end the Ukraine war, Putin reiterated Moscow's stance that it has never refused talks.

Reminding that Russia and Ukraine agreed on a draft deal in Istanbul during the early stages of the two-year conflict, Putin said they are ready for negotiations based on ground realities.

Russia has been promised many things in the past, and that promises alone "are not enough," he said.

"To negotiate just because they (Ukraine) are running out of ammunition is somehow ridiculous on our part. We are, however, ready for a serious conversation, and we want to resolve all conflicts, especially this conflict, through peaceful means.

"But we must clearly understand that it shouldn’t be a break for the enemy to rearm but a serious talk involving security guarantees for the Russian Federation," Putin said.

- Russia in Africa

Commenting on France's apparently waning influence in Africa, Putin said Russia has no role in this regard and French President Emmanuel Macron's criticism of Moscow may be "some kind of resentment."

"We did not push anyone out. It is just that the African leaders of some countries agreed with Russian economic operators and wanted to work with them, but did not want to work with the French. It was not our initiative, it was the initiative of our African friends," the president said.

Putin questioned why France, a former colonial power on the continent, should be offended when African countries want to develop their ties with Russia, saying many nations that have historically been under French rule "do not really want to deal with them."

"We are not inciting anyone there, we are not setting anyone up against France," he added.

Last year, Macron accused Russia of being "a power destabilizing Africa."

Russia has sought to strengthen its economic and diplomatic ties with Africa in recent years.