With presidential elections just two weeks away, the Russian leader says Ukrainian troops will not withdraw.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his annual address to the nation two weeks before the presidential election, warned that there was a “real” risk of nuclear war if Western countries sent troops to fight in Ukraine. I warned you that there is.
“There was talk about the possibility of sending a military contingent of NATO to Ukraine. But we remember the fate of those who once sent troops on the territory of our country. The consequences for some will be much more tragic,” Putin told parliament and other senior elites.
“They need to understand that we too have weapons that can attack targets in their territory. All of this actually threatens conflict with the use of nuclear weapons and the destruction of civilization. Don't you understand that?
Putin has previously spoken about the dangers of direct confrontation between NATO and Russia, but Thursday's nuclear weapons warning was one of the clearest.
Putin's warning came after French President Emmanuel Macron suggested on Monday that European NATO members send ground troops to Ukraine. The United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and some other member states rejected the proposal.
But Putin suggested that Western leaders remember the fates of people like Germany's Adolf Hitler and France's Napoleon Bonaparte, who tried and failed to invade their countries in the past.
The Russian leader previously said he was “not bluffing” when he pulled Russia from the START arms control treaty with the United States last year and said he was prepared to use nuclear weapons.
Putin also said Russia was “ready” to dialogue with the United States on “strategic stability” issues, even though the invasion of Ukraine triggered the worst Russian-Western relations since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. He also said.
Troops are moving forward 'with confidence'
President Putin praised Russian troops fighting in Ukraine as “brave” fighters who will never back down. Most opposition candidates are in jail or exiled, making it easier for Putin to secure another six years in office in the March 15-17 vote. His most formidable challenger, imprisoned leader Alexei Navalny, died mysteriously in prison in mid-February.
“I can say without exaggeration that when I look at these brave people, sometimes very young, my heart is filled with pride. They do not retreat, they do not fail, they do not betray,” Putin said. Told.
His comments included the Kremlin exulting in the recent strong performance of Ukraine's economy, its growth despite the devastating impact of sanctions, and signs that Western support for Ukraine is straining. There is.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, President Putin said that Russia's military has improved its combat capabilities and is moving forward “with confidence” across the front lines.
“Today, when our Motherland protects its sovereignty and security and protects the lives of our compatriots in Donbass and Novorossia, [regions of Ukraine that Russia claims to have annexed]”The decisive role in this struggle for justice belongs to our people, our unity, dedication to our motherland and responsibility for its destiny,” he said.
Russia announced early Thursday that it had repelled a landing attempt by Ukrainian special forces on the Tendra sandbar in the Black Sea, killing “up to 25” Ukrainian soldiers.
