Russia Is Ready for Nuclear War
Is Nato ready?
Let’s discuss Vladimir Putin’s recent demeanour. He appears to be in a foul mood, once again resorting to sabre-rattling and threatening nuclear war.
How prepared are we for such a scenario from a technical standpoint?
Of course, technically, we are ready.
Putin may phrase it differently, but there’s no mistaking his references to nuclear weapons. His threats are aimed at his adversaries in the West, primarily led by the United States.
In a recent interview, the Russian president outlined some ground rules for his American counterpart, Joe Biden. He stated that if the United States intervenes in Ukraine by sending troops, Russia would consider it an act of aggression. Essentially, Putin regards Ukraine as Russian territory. He’s conveying a message to President Biden: any American presence in Ukraine could lead to an escalation of conflict, potentially involving nuclear weapons. It’s worth noting that Putin has made nuclear threats before, especially following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, his tone this time seems more resolute. He questions the necessity of using weapons of mass destruction but also emphasises that weapons exist to be used if required.
Putin has expressed readiness for a serious dialogue on Ukraine but with two preconditions. Firstly, Russia insists on maintaining its territorial gains. Secondly, the West should provide security guarantees. While the specifics of these guarantees remain unclear, they likely involve restrictions on Western deployments in Ukraine and NATO’s activities in the region. As for the West, President Biden has made it clear that he won’t bow to Russia’s demands. Any concessions would be politically detrimental for him, especially in an election year. Instead, Biden continues to support Ukraine, albeit with limited resources. A proposed aid package worth $60 billion remains stalled in Congress, prompting Biden to announce a smaller weapons package worth $300 million for Ukraine.
However, this amount may not be sufficient to alter the conflict’s trajectory or reassure American allies, such as Poland. European allies, too, are urging the United States to do more militarily, politically, and economically in the region. Meanwhile, within the Western camp, there are divisions. While some support increased aid to Ukraine, others, like Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, oppose military assistance and advocate for concessions to Russia.
Putin’s recent nuclear threats have intensified tensions, leaving the Western camp divided on the appropriate response. Despite President Biden’s efforts to support Ukraine, the situation remains precarious, with the spectre of nuclear war looming in the background.
