Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning to NATO countries on Thursday, cautioning against the deployment of troops to Ukraine due to the risk of escalating into nuclear conflict.
Putin’s statement came as Putin advocated for the bolstering of Russia’s western military district, particularly in light of Finland and Sweden joining NATO.
During his annual address to the Russian parliament, Putin emphatically stated, “Russia will not tolerate interference in its internal affairs.”
He addressed and rebuffed a statement by French President Macron, who had mentioned that the option of Western ground troop deployment in Ukraine should not be dismissed. Putin warned that such measures could have “tragic” repercussions for the involved nations.
Putin boasted about the widespread Russian support for the “special military operations,” emphasizing the significant enhancement of the armed forces’ combat capabilities. “Our units firmly hold the initiative, advancing confidently across various operational fronts and securing new territories,” he declared.
Having led Russia for over two decades, Putin disclosed his plans to pursue another six-year term in the upcoming March elections. This announcement was made during his address to Russia’s Parliament two weeks before the anticipated election.
