Putin "Zelenskyy's 'pursuit of nuclear weapons' remarks, dangerous provocations"

Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's comments that he said could seek nuclear weapons as a "dangerous provocation."

Putin said at a BRICS media conference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence in Moscow on the 18th local time, warning that "there will be a corresponding response to any action going in this direction."

Earlier in the day, Ukrainian media reported that President Zelensky had said Ukraine would seek its nuclear capabilities to protect itself if it failed to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO.

Putin said it is generally not too difficult to make nuclear weapons in modern society and stressed that "Russia will not allow this to happen no matter what."

On whether to participate in the Ukraine peace conference in Saudi Arabia, he said, "Russia considers Saudi Arabia a friendly country, so the place is very convenient, but what is important is what we discuss."

Putin also said he would not attend the G20 summit in Brazil next month.

Ukraine has asked Brazil to execute an arrest warrant for the International Criminal Court if Putin attends the G20.

Putin said he was aware of the issuance of an arrest warrant and explained, "Why would you purposely go to interfere with the normal business of the event when you have a very good relationship with Brazilian President Lula?" and that someone else would attend instead of him.

Putin also stressed that the share of BRICS countries in global gross domestic product has already exceeded that of the G7, the Group of Seven major countries made up of developed countries.

Russia, which chaired the BRICS this year, will hold the BRICS summit in Kazan, Tatar Republic, Russia from the 22nd to the 24th.