Published February 29,2024
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President Vladimir Putin warned on Thursday of a “real” threat of nuclear struggle if the West escalates the battle in Ukraine.
In a defiant speech in Moscow, the Russian chief stated his troopers have been advancing in Ukraine and warned the West of “tragic consequences” for any nation that dared to ship troops to Kyiv.
“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 annual handle to the nation.
“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,” stated Putin.
His feedback gave the impression to be a response to French President Emmanuel Macron‘s refusal earlier this week to rule out sending troops to Ukraine — a refusal that drew rejection from leaders in Europe.
Western leaders have repeatedly criticised Putin for what they see as his reckless use of nuclear rhetoric since Moscow launched its full-scale navy offensive towards Ukraine.
After pulling Russia out of arms management treaties with the United States and beforehand warning he was “not bluffing” when he stated he was prepared to make use of nuclear weapons, Putin had appeared in current months to dial down his nuclear threats.
But the recent warning comes with the Kremlin buoyed by current positive aspects on the battlefield in Ukraine, an economic system that has largely defied sanctions, indicators of Western assist for Ukraine fraying and forward of an election sure to increase his time period within the Kremlin till 2030.
PUTIN CONFIDENT
That marks a pointy reversal in fortunes for Moscow over the past 12 months.
Last 12 months right now, Russian troops have been reeling from Ukrainian counteroffensives that pushed them again in northeastern and southern Ukraine.
But after a Ukrainian counteroffensive in the summertime of 2023 did not deliver comparable outcomes, right now Kyiv has moved to defensive positions.
The initially sturdy Western assist for Ukraine additionally seems to be shaking, with a $60-billion U.S. help bundle stalled in Congress.
Outgunning Ukrainian forces on the battlefield, Putin’s troops seized the jap stronghold of Avdiivka and are trying to construct on their advances.
And on the financial entrance, Russia is faring higher than many anticipated.
Massive funding in navy manufacturing, in addition to excessive salaries and advantages for troopers, has largely shielded the economic system from the worst penalties of Western sanctions.
Putin additionally touched on a lot of home points in his speech, outlining his pitch to Russians forward of a presidential election that can happen March 15-17 with none actual opposition candidates on the poll.
There is little doubt on the result of the vote, however Putin has been making quite a few media appearances for the reason that begin of the 12 months, together with lately flying a Russian bomber.
His speech on the Gostiny Dvor Palace close to Moscow’s Red Square was broadcast not solely on tv but in addition on giant digital screens and freed from cost in cinemas throughout the nation.
It additionally comes on the eve of the funeral deliberate in Moscow for Putin’s high opponent Alexei Navalny, who died in jail on February 16 in unclear circumstances.
Putin, who famously by no means referred to the opposition chief by title, has to this point remained silent on Navalny’s dying that prompted outrage at dwelling and overseas.
Source: www.anews.com.tr