Vladimir Putin Approaches the Nuclear Red Line

Vladimir Putin’s reach has exceeded his grasp, and he is panicking. Last night, in a major speech to the Russian people, he partially mobilized the Russian military for the first time since World War II. Additionally, he threatened to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine and “the West” in retaliation for a series of what must be called bold-faced lies regarding aggressions against the Russian people. He closed his shocking statements with a warning that he was “not bluffing.”

President Biden has already partially responded to Putin’s bluster, but Putin needs to be told in clear, unmistakable language that if he should choose to follow this path, it would trigger a full response from NATO and the introduction of Western aircraft, ships, and troops into the Ukrainian theater of operations.

About the Author

Jerry Hendrix

Jerry Hendrix is a retired Navy captain and a senior fellow at the Sagamore Institute.

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Vladimir Putin’s reach has exceeded his grasp, and he is panicking. Last night, in a major speech to the Russian people, he partially mobilized the Russian military for the first time since World War II. Additionally, he threatened to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine and “the West” in retaliation for a series of what must be called bold-faced lies regarding aggressions against the Russian people. He closed his shocking statements with a warning that he was “not bluffing.”

President Biden has already partially responded to Putin’s bluster, but Putin needs to be told in clear, unmistakable language that if he should choose to follow this path, it would trigger a full response from NATO and the introduction of Western aircraft, ships, and troops into the Ukrainian theater of operations.