Vladimir Putin warns against nuclear war in letter to nuclear non-proliferation forum

Russian President Vladimir Putin says there can be no winners in a nuclear war and no such war should ever be started.

Key points: Mr Putin had ordered Russia's nuclear forces to be put on high alert at the beginning of its war against Ukraine

Mr Putin had ordered Russia's nuclear forces to be put on high alert at the beginning of its war against Ukraine Russia test launched its new intercontinental ballistic missile in April

Russia test launched its new intercontinental ballistic missile in April Mr Biden said the US is ready to outline a new nuclear arms deal with Russia

The embattled leader made the comment in a letter to participants of the Tenth Review Conference for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) that is being held in New York.

"We proceed from the fact that there can be no winners in a nuclear war and it should never be unleashed," he said.

"We stand for equal and indivisible security for all members of the world community."

His words to the NPT forum appeared aimed at striking a reassuring note and portraying Russia as a responsible nuclear power.

They contrasted with earlier statements by Mr Putin and other Russian politicians that have been interpreted in the West as implicit nuclear threats.

Officials from around the world are gathering in New York for the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons Treaty review conference. ( Reuters: David 'Dee' Delgado )

In a speech on February 24, as he launched the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Mr Putin pointedly referred to Russia's nuclear arsenal and warned outside powers that any attempt to interfere would "lead you to such consequences that you have never encountered in your history".

Days later, he ordered Russia's nuclear forces to be put on high alert.

The war has raised geopolitical tensions to levels not seen since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, with politicians in both Russia and the United States speaking publicly of the risk of World War III.

CIA director William Burns said in April that given the setbacks Russia had suffered in Ukraine, "none of us can take lightly the threat posed by a potential resort to tactical nuclear weapons or low-yield nuclear weapons."

CIA Director William Burns warned of the potential resort to tactical nuclear weapons due to Russian setbacks in Ukraine. ( Pool via Reuters: Graeme Jennings )

Russia, whose military doctrine allows for the use of nuclear weapons in the event of an existential threat to the Russian state, has accused the West of waging a "proxy war" against it by arming Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Moscow.

In April, Russia conducted a first test launch of its new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of mounting nuclear strikes against the United States, and said it planned to deploy the weapons by autumn.

Biden proposes new nuclear arms deal with Russia

The United States is ready to outline a new nuclear arms deal with Russia and called on Moscow to demonstrate its ability to negotiate in good faith, US President Joe Biden said ahead of the NPT conference.

Arms control has historically been an area where progress has been possible despite wider disagreements.

Moscow and Washington in February extended their New START treaty, which capped the number of strategic nuclear warheads they can deploy and limits the land- and submarine-based missiles and bombers to deliver them, for five years.

Russia has test launched intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of mounting nuclear strikes against the US. ( AP: Russian Defence Ministry Press Service/File )

"Today, my administration is ready to expeditiously negotiate a new arms control framework to replace New START when it expires in 2026," Mr Biden said in a statement.

"But negotiation requires a willing partner operating in good faith.

"And Russia's brutal and unprovoked aggression in Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe and constitutes an attack on fundamental tenets of international order.

"Russia should demonstrate that it is ready to resume work on nuclear arms control with the United States."

Asked about the statement, a source at the Russian Foreign Ministry questioned the seriousness of Washington's intentions, telling Reuters: "Is this a serious statement or a hacking attack on the White House website?

"If it is still serious, with whom exactly do they intend to discuss it?"

The US Secretary of State accused Russia of using Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant as a "nuclear shield", condemning Russia's actions as "the height of Irresponsibility".

Russia was previously accused of firing shells dangerously close to the Zaporizhzhia plant in March during its takeover in the first weeks of the invasion.

Now, Washington is 'deeply concerned" that Moscow is using the plant as a military base from which to launce attacks on surrounding Ukrainian forces.

"Of course the Ukrainians cannot fire back lest there be a terrible accident involving the nuclear plant," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters after nuclear non-proliferation talks at the United Nations in New York.

Ukrainian officials have previously accused Moscow of basing troops and storing military equipment on the grounds of Europe's largest nuclear power station.

The Russian mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Secretary Blinken's remarks.