Russia must be “properly protected” after the expansion of NATO to include Sweden and Finland, Vladimir Putin has said in an annual state-of-the-nation speech.
NATO forces are “preparing to strike our territory”, he claimed, but he warned any such move – including sending troops to Ukraine – could trigger the use of nuclear weapons.
“They have to understand that we also have weapons, weapons that could defeat them on their own territory,” he said.
Western countries think they are “supreme”, he said, adding: “Russophobia blinds people and deprives them of their rational faculties.”
The United States and key European allies this week said they had no plans to send ground troops to Ukraine, after France hinted at the possibility.
However, Mr Putin issued his warning during his address to the Russian parliament and other members of the country’s elite.
“Without Russia there is no solid peace in the world,” he said.
The Russian leader said Moscow is ready for dialogue with the US on strategic stability, but rejected any attempts to force Russia into talks.
He said Russia had used advanced weapons systems, including Zircon hypersonic missiles, and that it held the military advantage in Ukraine.
The invasion of Ukraine – which he still described as a “special military operation” – was supported by the “absolute majority” of Russian people from the “very beginning”, he said.
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