Ukraine defends front, Putin talks up nuclear arsenal on war anniversary eve
…President Vladimir Putin, empty-handed after a bloody winter offensive, talked up Russia's nuclear arsenal.
Previously Putin had said the nuclear option was “unnecessary” because Russia could achieve its aims without them. Now? The U.S. should be alert to changes in strategic thinking based on facts on the ground.
After a series of strident speeches in the runup to the anniversary of his invasion, Putin announced plans on Thursday to deploy new Sarmat multi-warhead intercontinental ballistic missiles this year. Earlier this week he suspended Russia's participation in the START nuclear arms control treaty.
… Russia would "pay increased attention to strengthening the nuclear triad," Putin said
Ukraine and its Western allies have brushed off the nuclear talk as a diversion from a failing Russian military campaign on the ground, a year after Putin launched the biggest land war in Europe since World War Two.
After a series of strident speeches in the runup to the anniversary of his invasion, Putin announced plans on Thursday to deploy new Sarmat multi-warhead intercontinental ballistic missiles this year. Earlier this week he suspended Russia's participation in the START nuclear arms control treaty.
… Russia would "pay increased attention to strengthening the nuclear triad," Putin said
Ukraine and its Western allies have brushed off the nuclear talk as a diversion from a failing Russian military campaign on the ground, a year after Putin launched the biggest land war in Europe since World War Two.
