Putin hit on the mainland, another nuclear threat... "defense by all means"

[ Anchor

Lead] Russian President Putin again raised the possibility of using nuclear weapons in the wake of Ukraine's recent attacks on the Russian mainland.

He said he would defend the territory by all means, but drew the line that there would be no additional mobilization order.

This is reporter Bae Jun-woo.

[ Reporter

] Russian President Putin has repeatedly hinted at the possibility of using nuclear weapons in connection with the war in Ukraine.

At the annual meeting of the Human Rights Council, Putin said he would defend the territory by all means.

"I don't want to wield nuclear weapons preemptively," Putin said, adding that "Russia is not crazy."

Putin drew the line that this war could be much longer, but there will be no additional mobilization orders that some are concerned about.

[Vladimir Putin/Russian President: The additional mobilization order mentioned by some makes no sense.

I told the Russian Ministry of Defense that there was no need for that.]

NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, warned that Russia was entering a phase change for a major offensive next spring.

[Stoltenberg/NATO Secretary General: After reorganizing the battle lines, the Russian army may launch a major offensive in Ukraine next spring.]

Pope Francis pointed out the suffering of civilians in this war, It was likened to the sacrifice of 2 million Jews.

[Pope Francis: History is repeating itself.

We are watching what is happening in Ukraine.

Let's pray for peace.]

John Kirby, the White House National Security Council's strategic communications coordinator, said the United States had never encouraged Ukraine to attack the Russian mainland, saying, "I'm concerned about an escalation of war."