Putin warns the West: Russia ready for nuclear war

President Vladimir Putin told the West on Wednesday that Russia is technically ready for nuclear war and that if the United States sends troops to Ukraine, it will be a major escalation of the conflict.
Putin, speaking ahead of elections on March 15-17 that are likely to give him another six years in power, added that the nuclear war scenario is not “rushed” and that he sees no need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.