President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning on Thursday, highlighting a “real” danger of nuclear conflict if the West ramps up its involvement in Ukraine.
Putin Warns of Nuclear Conflict
In a bold and assertive tone during his yearly address to the Russian people, Putin claimed progress by his troops in Ukraine and cautioned the West about the “tragic consequences” awaiting any nation thinking of deploying forces to Kyiv.
A New Phase of Conflict?
“They have announced the possibility of sending Western military contingents to Ukraine… The consequences for possible interventionists will be much more tragic,” Putin stated in his national speech.
The Nuclear Option
“They should eventually realise that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory. Everything that the West comes up with creates the real threat of a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons, and thus the destruction of civilisation,” he remarked.
Macron’s Hesitation
His words seemed to counter French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent hesitation to dismiss the idea of deploying troops to Ukraine—a move that quickly faced opposition from other European leaders.
The Hybrid War
The controversy has touched a sensitive spot in Moscow, which perceives its ongoing conflict with Ukraine as a larger “hybrid war” against it by NATO.
Putin’s Nuclear Rhetoric
Western officials have consistently slammed Putin for his attitude towards nuclear threats. Having withdrawn Russia from key arms control agreements with the U.S. and previously stating his readiness to resort to nuclear options—asserting he was “not bluffing”—Putin had seemed to tone down such rhetoric in recent times.
Success in Ukraine and Beyond
With the Kremlin riding high from recent battlefield successes in Ukraine and an economic resilience against sanctions, the latest cautionary note comes at a time when Russia is gearing up for an election expected to keep Putin in power until 2030.
Waning Western Support
This contrasts starkly with the situation a year ago when Russian forces were scrambling in response to Ukrainian counterattacks. After a less effective Ukrainian push last summer, Kyiv finds itself on the defensive once more.
Additionally, Western support for Ukraine is waning, as evidenced by a significant $60-billion US aid package that’s stalled in Congress.
The Upper Hand
As Putin’s forces gain the upper hand on the battlefield, taking control of the key eastern city of Avdiivka, they’re looking to capitalize on their victories. Putin highlighted these recent achievements on Thursday, noting the significant enhancement in the military’s fighting capability.
Putin Touts Technological Gains
Surrounded by the Russian national flags, Putin stood solo on the stage at the Gostiny Dvor Palace, not far from the iconic Red Square, and showcased Russia’s array of advanced military technology, including Zircon and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
Putin Refutes Nuclear Ambitions
Putin dismissed the notion that Russia intends to place a nuclear weapon in space as a mere strategy by the U.S. to lure Russia into arms control negotiations on unfavorable terms.
Nationwide Broadcast
Putin’s speech was broadcast far and wide, not just on state TV but also on large digital screens and in cinemas across Russia, all free of charge.
Economic Surprises
He painted a picture of an economy that’s outperforming expectations, shielded from the sting of Western sanctions by heavy investment in military infrastructure and rewarding compensation for military personnel.
No Rivals Left Standing
With the presidential vote set for March 15-17, the outcome seems predetermined, given the exclusion of all serious opposition candidates and the recent death of Putin’s foremost critic, Alexei Navalny.
Navalny’s Final Farewell
The final farewell to Alexei Navalny, the Russian opposition figure who passed away earlier in a severe Arctic penal colony, is set for this Friday in Moscow, after a challenging search for a suitable venue.
The service will take place in a church located in the Maryino district of southeast Moscow, with the burial at a nearby cemetery.
Speculation Around Navalny’s Death
Navalny’s death in mid-February, at the age of 47, in one of Russia’s most notorious prisons, has led to widespread speculation about the cause, with many Western officials pointing fingers at President Vladimir Putin.
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