Putin: Russia Will Develop, Not Use, Nuclear Weapons

MOSCOW (AP) — President Vladimir Putin says Russia will continue to develop nuclear weapons but doesn't intend to use them.

Russian President Vladimir Putin takes documents during a Security Council meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, Friday, Dec. 18, 2015. (Image source: Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

The Russian leader made the comment in a documentary called "World Order" that was aired on state television Sunday night.

"Russia as a leading nuclear country will be improving this weapon as a containment factor; the nuclear triad is the basis of our nuclear security polices," he said, referring to the three main delivery systems for nuclear warheads — bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ICBMs.

"We have never brandished or will brandish this nuclear club, but our military doctrine allocates it a place and role," he said, according to excerpts reported by the state news agency Tass.