By Nicholas McEntyre
Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened the West with his country’s nuclear arsenal “that can hit targets on their territory” if they continue supporting Ukraine.
During his annual address to parliament and other high-ranking officials on Thursday, Putin, 71, repeatedly accused the West of being focused on weakening the Eastern European country while issuing the ominous warning.
“(Western nations) must realize that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory,” Putin said. “All this really threatens a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons and the destruction of civilization. Don’t they get that?!”
Putin, who is all but set to be re-elected to another six-year term during the upcoming March 15-17 presidential election, boasted about Russia’s vast arsenal of modern nuclear weapons, the largest in the world.
The startling warning came after Putin referenced an idea floated by French President Emmanuel Macron of European NATO members sending ground troops to Ukraine, which was rejected by the US, Britain and Germany, among others.
“Strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness,” Putin said, noting that new-generation hypersonic nuclear weapons he first spoke about in 2018 had either been deployed or were at a stage where development and testing were being completed.
The Russian leader’s address came a day after the president of the European Commission suggested Russian assets be frozen to help fund Ukraine.
Visibly angry, Putin suggested Western politicians recall the fate of those like Nazi Germany’s Adolf Hitler and France’s Napoleon Bonaparte who had invaded Russia in the past.
“But now the consequences will be far more tragic,” said Putin. “They think it (war) is a cartoon.”
With Post wires
