Sergei Karaganov, a foreign policy expert, says Russia will continue sending nuclear warning signals to the West. He has long advised President Putin to lower the threshold for using nuclear weapons, even suggesting a pre-emptive strike on NATO. However, Putin maintains that Russia doesn’t need nuclear weapons to win the war in Ukraine.
In September, Putin expanded the conditions for using nuclear weapons. Karaganov said these changes aim to “sober up” Western nations, especially Europeans. He warned that Russia would escalate nuclear threats until Europe backs down. “There will be steps up the ladder of nuclear escalation… until the Europeans run away,” he said.
Putin’s rhetoric has raised concerns about nuclear threats since the war in Ukraine began. He warned that Russia might use nuclear weapons if Ukraine is allowed to strike Russian territory with Western missiles. Russia has also held nuclear drills, adjusted its stance on arms treaties, and moved tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, a NATO neighbor.
Karaganov believes Russia must restore the West’s fear of nuclear weapons. He argues that Europeans no longer fear war and could push the situation toward a dangerous confrontation. He added that Russia will escalate nuclear threats, warning the West they would be the first to suffer in a nuclear conflict.
At the Valdai Forum, Putin is set to speak amid worsening US relations. The Kremlin is open to dialogue but uncertain about a potential Donald Trump presidency. Trump has criticized US support for Ukraine, while Ukrainian President Zelensky has praised him, calling for a strong US under his leadership.
As the war continues, Ukraine is losing more territory as Russian forces advance. Trump, if elected, has promised to end the conflict, but has not detailed how. (Reuters)
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