Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a clear warning to the West, saying that if they put troops on the ground in Ukraine, they should expect a global nuclear war in return.
Putin reiterated his prior warnings, telling NATO to stay out of the fight between Moscow and Kyiv.
In a state-of-the-nation address ahead of next month’s election, Putin highlighted his readiness to hold Russian gains in Ukraine at any cost.
In a veiled threat to French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently said the future deployment of Western ground troops to Ukraine could be on the cards, Putin said it would lead to “tragic” consequences, igniting a global nuclear conflagration.
Macron said sending Western soldiers to Ukraine “could not be ruled out,” adding, “We must do whatever we can to obtain our objective.”
“Nothing should be excluded. We will do everything that we can to make sure that Russia does not prevail”, Macron said.
Putin noted that Western allies were “selecting targets for striking our territory and selecting the most efficient as they think striking assets and talking about the possibility of sending a NATO contingent to Ukraine.”
“We remember the fate of those who sent their troop contingents to the territory of our country,” the Russian leader said.
“Now the consequences for the potential invaders will be far more tragic.”
“Don’t they understand it?” he continued.
“Those people haven’t been through any tough challenges and they have forgotten what war means.”
The Russian leader said his country’s nuclear forces are in “full readiness,” warning his military has deployed potent new weapons.
Earlier this month, Putin said President Joe Biden would be better for Russia than former president Donald Trump because he is “predictable.”
During an interview with broadcaster Rossiya 1 TV, Putin said:
“[Biden] is a more experienced, predictable person.”
“He is a politician of the old school. But we will work with any leader of the United States who is trusted by the American people,” Putin added.
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NEW: As the war in Ukraine drags on, Russian President Putin endorses BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT, says he’s ’more predictable’
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) February 15, 2024
A vote for Biden is a vote for Putin! pic.twitter.com/ycEI6cZnZn
READ: Putin Calls Out Key Detail in Tucker Carlson Interview
