MOSCOW - Russia is not going to use nuclear weapons, but nor does it intend to forgo them, said Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
"All of you are absolutely sought-after and successful people in your own way, and I would very much like our people, our young people to follow your example. And then we shall definitely have achievements in the field of literature, art, education and in the field of nuclear weapons that we are not forgoing," Medvedev said in his final speech at a state award ceremony at the Kremlin.
Russia will "still need" nuclear weapons, he said. "We are not going to use them, but let them be there because we are a big country, a complex country, one should be able to appreciate and protect them," the president said.
