(ReliableNews.org) – Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, the United States and several other nations have been helping defend the sovereign nation. The support has come in the form of funds and equipment to assist the Ukrainian military, not boots on the ground. A recent possibility of sending troops, raised by French President Emmanuel Macron, caused Russia’s president to threaten the West.
On February 29, the New York Post reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his annual speech where he seemingly threatened nuclear war against Western nations if they dared to send troops to Ukraine. He reminded the West that Russia has “nuclear weapons” that could “hit targets on their territor[ies]” and had forces at the ready if need be.
Putin brought up previous leaders who dared to threaten Russia, including Nazi Germany and France under Napoleon Bonaparte. He said the “consequences” they faced would be so “tragic” they’d think Russia’s previous response was like a “cartoon.” The Russian president also said he was open to discussing arms-control deals with the US — as long as those discussions included Ukraine.
Macron didn’t exactly say NATO countries should send troops to Ukraine. Instead, he said the group shouldn’t close the door on any idea to help the sovereign nation prevail in the war, pointing to “some elements of deployment.” Other leaders around the world responded to the French president’s words, with some reiterating they do not support sending their military members to Ukraine. The offices of President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni were on that list.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also spoke on the issue. He said there would be direct conflict with Russia if any NATO troops arrived in Ukraine to fight. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said while the member states will continue to support Ukraine, it will not be with troops.
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