Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, has threatened to use nuclear weapons.
After amassing more than 100,000 soldiers on the Ukrainian border and ratcheting up military exercises, Russia has reached a diplomatic impasse with the West.
Russia continues to deny any preparations to invade, blaming NATO’s growth in Eastern Europe. However, a video has emerged showing Putin threatening nuclear Armageddon if Ukraine joins NATO and wants to reclaim Crimea, which Russia took in 2014.
New footage appears to show the deployment of ‘unstoppable’ new Kinzhal nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles in Kaliningrad, Russia’s border region with Poland and Lithuania.
Despite claiming that his conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron in Moscow were fruitful, Putin used a press conference to warn of nuclear war.
‘I want to emphasize it one more time,’ he continued. I’ve been saying it for a long time, but I’d really like you to hear me out and pass it on to your readers, viewers, and viewers online.
‘Do you realize, whether you realize it or not, that if Ukraine joins NATO and strives to reclaim Crimea through military means, European countries would be dragged into a war with Russia?’
Putin acknowledged that Moscow’s military might is “incomparable” to NATO’s, but warned that his country remains “one of the major nuclear states.”
‘There will be no winners,’ he continued, ‘and you will be dragged into this fight against your will.’
As the conversation progresses, Putin becomes increasingly agitated and passionate, then says:
‘When you execute Article 5, you won’t even have time to blink’ (collective defence of Nato members).
‘Of course, Mr President (Macron) does not want this, and neither do I, which is why he has come to torture me for six hours.’
With 4300 nuclear warheads, Russia is the world’s largest nuclear power, followed by the United States with 3600.
Take a look at the video below.