On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his determination to achieve Moscow's objectives in Ukraine. He strongly cautioned the Western nations against escalating their involvement in the conflict, emphasizing the significant risk of triggering a global nuclear war.
Putin delivered his brazen warning during his State-of-the-Nation Address ahead of the upcoming election he is slated to win. The warning highlights his resolve to escalate tensions in the ongoing struggle with the West to safeguard Russian advancements in Ukraine.
The Associated Press revealed in an apparent reference to French President Emmanuel Macron's statement earlier this week that the future deployment of Western ground troops to Ukraine should not be "ruled out," Putin warned that it would lead to "tragic" consequences for the countries.
Putin noted that despite accusations of Russia planning to attack NATO allies in Europe, Western nations were actively "identifying targets for hitting our territory" and discussing the potential deployment of a NATO presence in Ukraine.
Recalling History:
"We remember the fate of those who sent their troop contingents to the territory of our country," the Russian leader said in an apparent allusion to the failed invasions by Napoleon and Hitler. "Now, the consequences for the potential invaders will be far more tragic."
According to Reuters, the experienced Kremlin leader dismissed Western ideas that Russian forces might go beyond Ukraine and attack European countries as "nonsense."
He also stated Moscow would not repeat the mistake of the Soviet Union and allow the West to "drag" it into an arms race that would devour much of its budget.
"Therefore, our task is to develop the defence-industrial complex in such a way as to increase the scientific, technological, and industrial potential of the country," he explained.
Putin also expressed Moscow's willingness to engage in discussions on nuclear strategic stability with the United States before concluding his address to say,
"...On the eve of the U.S. presidential election, they simply want to show their citizens and everyone else that they still rule the world."
