Putin has threatened that Moscow will consider responding with nuclear weapons if Ukraine is allowed to strike deep inside Russia with Western long-range missiles. However, there are questions about whether Putin actually means this. The West is debating whether to deepen military support for Kyiv regardless of Moscow’s threats, or take these threats of nuclear retaliation seriously.
Putin has recently extended the scenarios under which Russia could use nuclear weapons, linking these to the possibility of Western long-range missile strikes. Even though the threat of nuclear weapons being used in response to a cross-border conventional attack involving aircraft or drones was made, some believe that Putin’s remarks are a bluff.
Experts in the West have varied opinions, with some seeing Putin’s comments as psychological tactics meant to deter Western support for Ukraine, while others believe it is a real warning. Concerns about nuclear blackmail, loose talk, and the need to understand Russian red lines are being raised by analysts and officials in the West.
While the West is being cautioned to take Putin’s warnings seriously and not overreact, there is also skepticism about whether Russia is genuinely prepared to use nuclear weapons. The recent announcement by Putin regarding changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine has been interpreted as a warning against further escalation into Russia. Ultimately, the impact of Putin’s threats on Western policy towards Ukraine remains uncertain.
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