Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a big announcement. He has threatened nuclear retaliation against Western adversaries. Russia has plenty of weapons to counter what it calls Western threats on Russian soil.
He made this rare announcement in his address to the nation on Wednesday.
He said that many Russian weapons have been prepared. He also ordered additional funds to increase Russia’s arms production.
Threatening the Western countries, he said, if the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will take all measures to protect Russia and its people. This is not an empty bully.
Those who want to blackmail us with nuclear weapons, should know that the counter-wind can also be directed at them, he said.
He alleged that Western countries have shown that they do not want peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Putin’s speech comes as Moscow begins to consolidate its grip on Ukrainian territory in the east and south. They are planning to hold a referendum in the liberated areas of Ukraine to officially join Russia.
Analysts say the referendum will legitimize the annexation of territories controlled by Russia. As a result, any attack on those territories, including even those controlled by Ukraine, could be declared by Moscow as an attack on itself. As a result, they will have an excuse to defend themselves and even use nuclear bombs.
Additionally, Russia’s parliament passed a law on Tuesday introducing the concepts of ‘mobilization’ and ‘martial law’ into Russia’s criminal code. This has fueled further speculation that Putin may officially declare the Ukraine operation a war. As a result, Putin will have the opportunity to use his full military might in Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that the referendum would allow the regions to determine their future. ‘The current situation ensures that they want to be masters of their future.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has rejected plans for a ‘referendum’ and said Russia is illegally occupying parts of Ukraine’s land. Ukraine has the right to liberate its territories and will continue to try to liberate them, regardless of what Russia says.’
Pro-Russian officials in four regions – Donetsk and Luhansk in the east and Kherson and Zaporizhia in the south – have announced plans to hold referendums over four days, starting on Friday. Of these, almost all of Luhansk and Kherson are under Russian control. Much of Zaporozhye and Donetsk is under Russian control, while the rest is still in conflict.
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