Putin’s implicit warning to the West about Russia’s use of nuclear weapons

In a speech to lawmakers and other political elites, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the West seeks to weaken Russia, and addressed the officials of Western countries that they do not know how dangerous it can be to interfere in Russia’s internal affairs.
According to Reuters, Putin said: “Western nations should realize that we also have weapons that can target targets on their territory. All this is a threat to start a conflict with nuclear weapons and destroy civilizations. Don’t they understand this?”

Putin has previously spoken of the dangers of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia, but this statement is one of his most outspoken warnings. Putin’s comments may be a reference to the French president’s recent request to send ground troops to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that he would not rule out any option to support Ukraine.

It should be said, Macron’s statements have been followed by negative reactions in the West. Adrien Watson, the spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said: “Joe Biden has clearly stated that the United States will not send ground troops to the war in Ukraine.” NATO also announced on Tuesday evening that there is “no plan for the presence of NATO combat forces” in Ukraine.

Marine Le Pen, whose far-right party is the largest opposition party in the French parliament, responded to Macron’s comments by saying that he poses an existential threat to 70 million French people.