Award Banner
Award Banner

Putin warns West of risk of nuclear war, says Moscow can strike Western targets

Putin warns West of risk of nuclear war, says Moscow can strike Western targets
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual address to the Federal Assembly, in Moscow, Russia, Feb 29, 2024.
PHOTO: Reuters

MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin told Western countries on Thursday (Feb 29) they risked provoking a nuclear war if they sent troops to fight in Ukraine, warning that Moscow had the weapons to strike targets in the West.

The war in Ukraine has triggered the worst crisis in Moscow's relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Putin has previously spoken of the dangers of a direct confrontation between Nato and Russia, but his nuclear warning on Thursday was one of his most explicit.

Addressing lawmakers and other members of the country's elite, Putin, 71, repeated his accusation that the West was bent on weakening Russia, and he suggested Western leaders did not understand how dangerous their meddling could be in what he cast as Russia's own internal affairs.

He prefaced his nuclear warning with a specific reference to an idea, floated by French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday, of European Nato members sending ground troops to Ukraine — a suggestion that was quickly rejected by the United States, Germany, Britain and others.

"(Western nations) must realise that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory. All this really threatens a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons and the destruction of civilisation. Don't they get that?!" said Putin.

Speaking ahead of a March 15-17 presidential election when he is certain to be re-elected for another six-year term, he lauded what he said was Russia's vastly modernised nuclear arsenal, the largest in the world.

"Strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness," he 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.

Visibly angry, Putin suggested Western politicians recall the fate of those like Nazi Germany's Adolf Hitler and France's Napoleon Bonaparte who had unsuccessfully invaded Russia in the past.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual address to the Federal Assembly, in Moscow, Russia, Feb 29, 2024. 
PHOTO: Reuters

"But now the consequences will be far more tragic," said Putin. "They think it (war) is a cartoon," he said, accusing Western politicians of forgetting what real war meant because they had not faced the same security challenges as Russians had in the last three decades.

More troops for western border

Russian forces now had the initiative on the battlefield in Ukraine and were advancing in several places, Putin said. Russia must also boost the troops it has deployed along its western borders with the European Union after Finland and Sweden decided to join the Nato military alliance, he added.

The veteran Kremlin leader dismissed Western suggestions that Russian forces might go beyond Ukraine and attack European countries as "nonsense". He also said Moscow would not repeat the mistake of the Soviet Union and allow the West to "drag" it into an arms race that would eat up too 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 said.

Putin said Moscow was open to discussions on nuclear strategic stability with the United States but suggested that Washington had no genuine interest in such talks and was more focused on making false claims about Moscow's alleged aims.

"Recently there have been more and more unsubstantiated accusations against Russia, for example that we are allegedly going to deploy nuclear weapons in space. Such innuendo... is a ploy to draw us into negotiations on their terms, which are favourable only to the United States," he said.

"...On the eve of the US presidential election, they simply want to show their citizens and everyone else that they still rule the world."

ALSO READ: Russia will try new offensive in Ukraine this summer, Zelenskiy says

Source: Reuters

homepage

trending

trending
    3 made-with-Singapore films selected for 2025 Cannes Film Festival
    Fire breaks out in Tampines industrial building, students from school nearby evacuated
    'We rejoice at the election': Singapore Archdiocese and congregants congratulate new pontiff Pope Leo XIV
    Want something for mum that aren't flowers or chocolates? Here are some practical Mother's Day gifts
    Lee Chae-min recounts surprising Crushology 101 cast and crew with how much he perspired on set
    Missing 81-year-old man found on Bartley HDB rooftop after 6 days
    Behind the scenes: We followed the Traffic Police to find out what goes on during a heavy vehicle speeding enforcement operations exercise
    Bill Gates to give away $260 billion by 2045, says Musk is 'killing' world's poorest children
    'My wife told me I'm not as agile as before': Christopher Lee recalls Fann Wong's warning prior to bike trip with brother around Taiwan
    Man seeks apology from cyclist who slapped son after collision at Tampines junction
    Gossip mill: Fan who kissed BTS' Jin surrenders, Song Ji-hyo trains as a haenyeo, Chris Wang wipes social media after alleged divorce
    Burnt Ends in top 5 of World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants 2025 list, 3 other Singapore steakhouses make the cut

Singapore

Singapore
    • Singapore Navy acquires 2 additional Invincible-class submarines, bringing fleet to 6
    • 'Two giants of public service': PM Wong thanks Teo Chee Hean and Heng Swee Keat as they retire from politics
    • Ministers Ong Ye Kung, Chee Hong Tat did not have any dealings with Fujian gang member Su Haijin: Statement
    • Woman carrying baby unhurt after escalator steps dislodge at HarbourFront Centre
    • Singaporean William Goh among 133 cardinals worldwide choosing the new pope
    • 2 arrested after video of man viciously assaulting another goes viral
    • Foreigner behind MRT station molestation caught 7 years later when he re-entered Singapore
    • Chinese student in Singapore allegedly kidnapped in KL, $628k ransom demanded from parents
    • GE2025: Independents Jeremy Tan, Darryl Lo plan to use new-found platforms to speak up on issues
    • Singaporean man in Thailand nabbed for being part of illegal vape network

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • 'I broke down in tears every day': Emotional role in new drama leaves Cheryl Chou drained
    • Why I attended The Click Five’s concert in Singapore with strangers for nostalgia
    • Blackpink divides opinions with Met Gala 2025 looks — and other hits and misses
    • Byeon Woo-seok, Park Eun-bin, Kiss of Life: A peek at their childhood photos on South Korea's Children's Day
    • Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum set for release in December 2027
    • James Foley, director of Fifty Shades of Grey, dies at 71
    • Man who allegedly crashed car through gate of Jennifer Aniston's home accused of harassment
    • Liam Payne left behind fortune without making a will
    • Judge in Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial admonishes lawyer for racial remarks
    • Smokey Robinson accused of sexual assault by 4 former employees

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Isetan at Tampines Mall to shutter in November after almost 30 years
    • Local brands like Ann Chin Popiah and Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice to open at 5-star hotel in Macau
    • 'It hurts, losing everything': Mentai-Ya boss closes all remaining stalls after $550k losses in 2 years
    • Kenny Rogers Roasters now has an all-you-can-eat buffet for $28.90++, here's a sneak peek at the menu
    • Top picks for Mother's Day 2025 in Singapore: Brunches, blooms and spa bliss
    • What to do this weekend (May 9 to 11)
    • Cat A COE premiums go past $100k in first bidding exercise for May 2025
    • Denza opens an 'experiential showcase' at Zhongshan Park
    • Things to do in Porto, Portugal: A curated 5-day itinerary
    • Buying a walk-up apartment in Singapore? Don't overlook the shops below - here's why

Digicult

Digicult
    • A $500 wake-up call: How the Samsung Galaxy Ring made me realise my stress
    • Monster Hunter Wilds producer explains how game has remained unique and fresh over 20 years
    • Google Pixel 9a: The best AI-centric phone under $800 in 2025?
    • Western intelligence agencies warn spyware threat targeting Taiwan, Tibetan rights advocates
    • Taiwan says China using generative AI to ramp up disinformation and 'divide' the island
    • Russian court fines Telegram app for refusal to remove anti-government content, TASS reports
    • One Beijing man's quest to keep cooking — and connecting with Americans — on camera
    • Nintendo Switch 2 to launch in June with US$449.99 price tag
    • Games in April: RPGs, racing and Ronaldo in a fighting game
    • Is it time to get a MacBook at a good price? The M4 MacBook Air says yes

Money

Money
    • Giant deal: Malaysian company to acquire Cold Storage and Giant supermarket chains in Singapore
    • 5-room DBSS flat in Kallang sets new town all-time-high record at $1.49m
    • All-time high of 141 million-dollar flats sold in April 2025 as HDB resale prices, volume continue to rise
    • Japan, China, South Korea, Asean enhance regional financial safety net
    • Trump plans to hit movies made outside US with 100% tariffs
    • Do high floors equal to high returns? Let's unpack the numbers
    • What DIY property buyers in Singapore might miss out on (and why it matters)
    • 5 affordable condos with unblocked views priced under $1m
    • How tariffs could shape interest rates in 2025: What Trump's 'Liberation Day' means for Singapore home loans
    • GM delays investor call, UPS axes 20k jobs as Trump's tariffs create corporate chaos

Latest

Latest
  • Daily roundup: Lee Chae-min recounts surprising Crushology 101 cast and crew with how much he perspired on set — and other top stories today
  • In custody in the Hague, on ballot at home: Philippines' Duterte runs for mayor
  • Inside China's decision to come to the table on Trump tariffs
  • Russia to parade drones it uses against Ukraine on Red Square, state TV reports
  • India says military stations attacked by Pakistan drones and missiles
  • Prevost, first US pope, supported Francis and shunned spotlight
  • Gaza's Christians confident new Pope will give importance to enclave's peace
  • New Zealand to increase redress payments for victims of abuse in state care
  • Trump fires head of Library of Congress, New York Times reports

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Ong Ye Kung leads PAP team to victory while elder brother Howard Ong loses in Australia's election on the same day
  • Tan Kiat How weighs in on viral video of Gan Kim Yong being ignored by passers-by in Punggol
  • PSP's Tan Cheng Bock turns 85; SDP's Paul Tambyah joins celebration at Teban Gardens
  • PM Wong urges voters to 'choose leaders of good character' in PAP's first party political broadcast
  • It is 'important for Singapore's democracy' that WP wins more seats, says Pritam in election broadcast
  • GE2025: PSP, RDU, SDP, PPP, PAR, NSP promise to push for policy changes if elected to Parliament in first political broadcast
  • 'Everyone has the right to express their feelings': WP candidates address four-cornered fight in Tampines GRC
  • PAP's Desmond Lee responds to opposition's calls for GST exemption, says 'we want to make it progressive'
  • 'A fresher Pritam Singh': Teo Chee Hean to Aljunied resident who mistook PAP's Faisal Abdul Aziz for WP chief
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.