Putin Threatens Nuclear War If Russia Attacked

New York Times: “In another rambling speech full of festering historical grievances and accusations of a relentless Western plot against his country, Mr. Putin reminded the world on Thursday that Russia ‘remains one of the most powerful nuclear states’ with ‘a certain advantage in several cutting-edge weapons.’”

“In effect, Mr. Putin’s speech, intended to justify the invasion, seemed to come closer to threatening nuclear war than any statement from a major world leader in recent decades. His immediate purpose was obvious: to head off any possible Western military move by making clear he would not hesitate to escalate.”