Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the hints by the Ukrainian leadership regarding the possible production of nuclear weapons as a "dangerous provocation." He said any step in this direction would "provoke an appropriate response.

The Ukrainian leader has clarified that what he wants is Nato membership, which is 'better than any kind of weapon' Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday condemned comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky suggesting that Kyiv would seek nuclear weapons if it could not join Nato as a "dangerous provocation".

Zelensky's suggestion that Ukraine would seek nuclear weapons if it could not join NATO was a "dangerous provocation", Russian President Putin said Friday.

Vladimir Putin responded to remarks made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who indicated on Thursday that Ukraine has two options: either to join NATO or to develop nuclear weapons. The Russian leader declared,

The Russian president accused Volodymyr Zelenskyy of making "a dangerous provocation," but Kyiv said the comments had been misinterpreted. Meanwhile, Moscow said it recaptured a village in Kursk. DW has more.