Russian President Vladimir Putin gave his annual State of the Nation address earlier today. In the speech, Putin warned Western countries not to send their troops to Ukraine, as it could lead to a nuclear conflict.
Deputy Director of the Estonian Defense Research Center Kristi Raik believes that Putin’s threat of nuclear weapons involves the French president Emmanuel Macron to the early week flash about the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine.
– I think that Putin was a bit startled by this, Raik assessed.
According to Raik, it would have been more useful for Western countries if Macron’s consideration of sending troops had remained at that. However, Macron’s reflection was followed by a number of comments from the leaders of other European countries, according to which troops should not be sent to Ukraine under any circumstances.
According to Raik, this sent a message to Putin about the disunity among Western countries.
– It created an image of disunity, fragmentation, uncertainty and weak strategic communication between Western countries. Putin caught on to that and wanted to send a message that you don’t just send troops.
The story is updated.
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