Vladimir Putin issues chilling 7 word threat to West as he's pressed about nuclear arsenal
Share:
Vladimir Putin has issued a chilling seven-word threat to the West during a marathon live event in which he was pressed on key changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine. The Russian despot, 72, is participating in his annual end-of-year review in Moscow, where he is taking call-ins and questions from journalists. The rare appearance is made more unusual by the fact that Russian officials have permitted western journalists to participate in the massive event, with several questions touching on subjects Putin tends not to address.
Among them are the recent changes the premier made to a key government document - Russia's nuclear doctrine. Speaking about the recent alterations, which come with serious ramifications for western nations and their allies, Putin levelled a very thinly-veiled seven-word threat.
Putin updated Russia 's nuclear framework - which outlines situations in which his government is prepared to use nuclear weapons - in September this year. In what has been seen as a "bluff and bluster" attempt to intimidate western nations assisting Ukraine, the changes mean Russia is prepared to use the weapons in response to not just nuclear but conventional attacks.
In a pointed reference to the UK, US and other nations helping Ukrainians fight back against Russian incursions on their territory, the document adds that attacks from a non-nuclear state backed by a nuclear power will be treated as a joint assault on Russia. Putin gave a chilling seven-word response to questions of whether the west has correctly interpreted the threat.
