Putin sees no need for nuclear weapons to win in Ukraine. But he's also keeping his options open
Russian President Vladimir Putin's message to NATO was simple and stark: Don’t go too far in providing military support for Ukraine, or you’ll risk a conflict that could quickly turn into a nuclear one
The message to NATO from President Vladimir Putin was simple and stark: Don't go too far in providing military support for Ukraine, or you'll risk a conflict with Russia that could quickly turn nuclear.
As the war in Ukraine turns slowly in Moscow's favor, Putin declared he doesn’t need nuclear weapons to achieve his goals. But he also says it's wrong for the West to assume that Russia will never use them.
“It mustn’t be treated in a light, superficial way,” Putin said in June, reaffirming that Russia's nuclear doctrine calls for using atomic weapons if it perceives a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Moscow’s nuclear messaging — coming as NATO allies move to shore up exhausted and outgunned Ukrainian forces — heralds what could become the most dangerous phase in the war.
