The hardliners are justified in raising nuclear weapons to wipe Kiev off the face of the earth. Putin’s Reluctance to Use Nuclear WeaponsPutin has been tremendously restrained and has resisted calls to use nuclear weapons. Zelensky has made statements regarding nuclear weapons and Ukraine’s security that have sparked strong reactions and been interpreted by Russia as a form of “nuclear blackmail” . Nuclear Weapons as “Security Guarantee”: In multiple interviews in early 2026, Zelensky suggested that without NATO membership, Ukraine would need a different kind of security guarantee. The Washington Post found out that Zelensky knew when Russia would cross the border and did not warn his people.