Before issuing his nuclear warning, Russian President Vladimir Putin has specifically mentioned a proposal put forth by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned Western nations, stating that sending troops to engage in the war in Ukraine could lead to the risk of provoking a nuclear war.
“We did not start this war in Donbas. As I have said many times, we will do everything to end it, to eradicate Nazism. To fulfill all the tasks of the special military operation. To protect the sovereignty and security of our citizens,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, he emphasized that Moscow possesses the capability to target locations in the West with its weapons. The ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in the most significant crisis in Moscow’s relations with the West since the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. While Putin has previously expressed concerns about a confrontation between NATO and Russia, his nuclear warning on Thursday marked one of his most unequivocal statements on the matter.
Speaking to legislators and prominent figures within the nation’s elite, Putin reiterated his assertion that the West is committed to undermining Russia. He indicated that Western leaders might not grasp the potential peril of their interference, characterizing it as meddling in what he perceives as Russia’s internal affairs.
Before issuing his nuclear warning, Putin specifically mentioned a proposal put forth by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday. The idea involved European NATO members deploying ground troops to Ukraine, but this suggestion was promptly dismissed by the United States, Germany, Britain, and other nations.
“The West provoked the conflict in Ukraine, in the Middle East, in other regions of the world, and continues to lie, without any embarrassment, saying that Russia allegedly intends to attack Europe,” the Russian President maintained.
Due to that, “[Western nations] 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 they get that?!” Putin added.
In anticipation of the presidential election scheduled for March 15-17, Putin praised Russia’s extensively modernized nuclear arsenal, which he claimed is the world’s largest.
Elsewhere in his remarks, he mentioned that the new-generation hypersonic nuclear weapons, which he initially discussed in 2018, have either been deployed or are in the final stages of development and testing.
“Strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness,” the Russian President confirmed.
Concerning the hypersonic dagger aircraft system, he maintained that “it has not only been put into service but is also being used with high efficiency to hit particularly important targets in the course of the special military operation.”
As for Zircon, the hypersonic sea-based complex, he confirmed that it has already been used in battle, whereas “the hypersonic units of the intercontinental range Avangard (and) the laser systems Peresvet are on combat duty. The tests of the Burevestnik unlimited-range cruise missile are being finalised. And the unmanned underwater vehicle Poseidon… The first mass-produced Sarmat heavy ballistic missiles have been delivered to the troops.”
In a visibly impassioned address, Putin offered a cautionary note to Western politicians, urging them to heed historical lessons.
He recommended that Western politicians reflect on the outcomes faced by historical figures such as Adolf Hitler of Nazi Germany and Napoleon Bonaparte of France, both of whom had failed in their attempts to invade Russia in the past.
“But now the consequences will be far more tragic,” said Putin. “They think it [war] is a cartoon,” he said.
He also accused Western politicians of having a limited understanding of the true nature of war due to their lack of experience with the security challenges faced by Russians over the past three decades.
Addressing the dynamic situation on the ground in Ukraine, Putin stated that Russian forces currently hold the advantage on the Ukrainian battlefield, making advancements in multiple locations. Additionally, he emphasized the need for Russia to reinforce its deployed troops along the western borders with the European Union. This decision comes in response to Finland and Sweden opting to join the NATO military alliance.
read more: Kremlin slams Macron’s statements as dangerous
source: AlMayadeen
