President Vladimir Putin has threatened the use of nuclear weapons against Western states if NATO remains intent on sending ground troops to Ukraine. The Russian head of state stated that Russia has the weapons capability to directly strike Western targets.
The Russian President made these comments in his annual address to the Federal Assembly on February 29, only two weeks prior to the Presidential elections in Russia. Putin is near certain to win the election scheduled for March 15-17, which will see him re-elected for another six-year term as President.
“There has been talk about the possibility of sending NATO military contingents to Ukraine. But we remember the fate of those who once sent their contingents to our country’s territory. But now the consequences for possible interventionists will be far more tragic,” said Putin, referring to Nazi Germany’s attempts to invade and conquer the Soviet Union.
Putin’s threat of nuclear war seemed to be a response to French President Emmanuel Macron’s suggestion that NATO would not rule out sending ground troops to fight the war in Ukraine.
“[The West] must realize that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory. All this really threatens a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons and the destruction of civilization. Don’t [Western leaders] get that?” asked Putin.
Putin’s address also sought to boost Russian morale as its invasion of Ukraine enters the third year, stating that the Russian forces “had the initiative” and were “confidently advancing” across the frontlines.