PUTIN: OUR NUKES ARE READY TO FLY
VLADIMIR Putin has warned the West against deeper involvement in Ukraine as it could risk nuclear war.
The Russian President vowed victory in Ukraine in his state of the nation address, which followed France saying it will not rule out European troops joining the war.
Referring to a statement by French President Emmanuel Macron earlier this week, Putin warned of tragic consequences for countries deploying troops.
He claimed NATO is “talking about the possibility of sending a NATO contingent to Ukraine”.
Putin said: “We remember the fate of those who sent their troop contingents to the territory of our country,” he said, alluding to failed invasions by Napoleon and Hitler. He said: “Now the consequences for the potential invaders will be far more tragic.”
Putin reminded Western leaders that “we also have the weapons that can strike targets on their territory, and what they are suggesting and scaring the world with, all that raises the real threat of a nuclear conflict that will mean the destruction of our civilization”.
Putin, 71, said Russia’s nuclear forces are in “full readiness”, adding the military has deployed potent new weapons, some tested in Ukraine.
He rejected Western leaders’ statements about Russian attacks on NATO allies in Europe as “ravings”, dismissing again fears Moscow may deploy space-based nuclear weapons.
Putin said: “Ahead of the US election, they want to show their citizens, as well as others, they continue to rule the world. It won’t work.”
He is running as an independent in Russia’s March presidential election. The funeral of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, 47, is set for today in Moscow.