Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued a chilling warning to the West, suggesting that continued military support for Ukraine could escalate into a full-scale nuclear conflict. Speaking at a high-profile event in Moscow, the Kremlin leader accused NATO members of playing with fire by supplying weapons to Kyiv.
Direct Threat to Global Security
Putin claimed Western nations are creating a direct threat to Russia's sovereignty, stating: "They should remember that we too have weapons that can strike targets on their territory." The remarks came during his address at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where he framed the Ukraine conflict as an existential struggle for Russia.
Escalating Tensions
The Russian leader specifically criticised recent decisions by several NATO countries to authorise Ukrainian strikes inside Russian territory with Western-supplied weapons. "This is a very dangerous step," Putin warned, adding that Moscow reserves the right to respond asymmetrically to such threats.
Historical Parallels Drawn
Drawing ominous historical parallels, Putin referenced the Cuban Missile Crisis, suggesting current tensions mirror those of 1962 when the world stood on the brink of nuclear war. Military analysts note this represents Putin's most explicit nuclear rhetoric in months, coming as Ukrainian forces make gradual gains with Western support.
Western leaders have dismissed Putin's warnings as nuclear blackmail, with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg maintaining the alliance's right to defend its partners. However, the stark language from Moscow has reignited debates about escalation management and the potential for miscalculation in the ongoing conflict.
