Putin establishes a nuclear boundary for the West

President Vladimir Putin has warned the United States and its allies that allowing Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with Western long-range missiles could lead to a nuclear response from Moscow. Some in the West are questioning whether Putin is bluffing with this threat. If he is serious, there is a risk of the conflict escalating into World War Three. In a recent statement, Putin expanded the scenarios that could lead to Russia using nuclear weapons, including in response to a major cross-border conventional attack. The response from the West was a mix of skepticism and concern, with some accusing Putin of “nuclear blackmail” and others calling it a psychological PR operation. Experts warn against ignoring Putin’s statements but also advise against overreacting, noting that evidence of actual willingness to use nuclear weapons is lacking. The revised Russian nuclear doctrine extends the nuclear umbrella to Belarus and lowers the threshold for nuclear use. The changes were seen as a message to Ukraine and the West not to escalate the conflict further. Putin’s message was a warning to the West to not ignore Russian red lines concerning Ukraine, particularly regarding the use of long-range missiles. Experts caution against dismissive attitudes and urge against testing Putin’s resolve, as there could be serious consequences if those red lines are crossed.

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