NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned western nations about Russia‘s military capabilities and stressed that Moscow has weapons that can reach targets of their territories. Putin said that threats from western nations have created a “real” risk of nuclear war.
Putin at his annual the state of nation’s address said, “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.”
Putin told Nato countries that they risked nuclear conflict if they sent troops to Ukraine, adding that Russia must strengthen its western military district after Finland and Sweden’s admission to the Atlantic alliance.
The United States and key European allies on Tuesday said that they had no plans to send ground troops to Ukraine, after France hinted at the possibility, and the Kremlin warned that any such move would inevitably lead to conflict between Russia and Nato.
Putin issued the warning during his annual address to Russia’s parliament and other members of the country’s elite.
Visibly angry, Putin suggested Western politicians recall the fate of those, like Nazi Germany’s Adolf Hitler and France’s Napoleon Bonaparte who unsuccessfully invaded his country in the past.
“But now the consequences will be far more tragic,” said Putin. “They think it (war) is a cartoon,” he added.
(With inputs from agencies)