Zelensky wants pre-emptive nuclear strike against Russia

Ukraine’s leader has sparked a furious response from Russia, which branded him a “monster” over comments made to an Australian crowd on Thursday. 

Volodymyr Zelensky’s office has clarified that he was not calling for a “pre-emptive” nuclear strike on Russia, after a speech by the Ukrainian President to an Australian audience on Thursday night sparked a furious response from the Kremlin.

Zelensky was speaking via video link to the Lowy Institute when he made the comments in response to a question from the think tank’s executive director Michael Fullilove.

“Mr President, in your remarks you mentioned nuclear blackmail,” the host said.

“Mr Putin told us the other day that he’s not bluffing. So may I ask you, do you believe that the likelihood of the use of Russian nuclear weapons against Ukraine has risen, and what more do you want NATO to do to deter Russia from using nuclear weapons?”