Putin issues stark warning as he accuses West of pushing him to his 'red lines'

16 December 2024, 15:12

Putin has accuses West of pushing him to his 'red lines'
Putin has accuses West of pushing him to his 'red lines'. Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

Vladimir Putin has accused the West of pushing him to his 'red lines' as he issued a chilling World War Three threat over missiles.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Putin told defence officials that Russia was watching developments in the US, with the potential deployment of short and medium-range missiles raising concerns.

He warned that Russia would lift all restrictions on the deployment of its own missiles if the US goes ahead with its plans.

He added that Russia's nuclear weapons were there for deterrence.

It comes after Ukraine accused him of "nuclear blackmail" - but believed he would not risk alienating himself.

"This is yet another bluff and demonstration of Putin's weakness," Anton Gerashchenko, a former adviser to Ukraine's internal affairs minister, said.

"He will not dare to use nuclear weapons because that will make him a complete outcast."

Ukraine was hit by a hypersonic, nuclear-capable missile called Oreshnik last month.

"This is the first time that such remnants of such a missile have been discovered on the territory of Ukraine," an investigator for the Ukrainian Security Service said at the time.

Read more: Trump urges Putin to agree ceasefire in Ukraine war and says Zelensky is ready to 'end the madness'

Read more: Russia 'to fire its hypersonic Oreshnik missiles from Belarus next year', Putin claims in chilling warning

Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin. Picture: Getty

In September, Putin said Russia's "red line" for using nuclear weapons included Western leaders allowing Ukraine to use their missiles in Russia.

Former Soviet and Russian diplomat Nikolai Sokov said: "Don't make a mistake - all these kind of things may mean nuclear war."

Addressing dismissal of the threats, he added: "I'm really concerned about all the loose talk.

"We run head-on into a situation which is completely unfamiliar to us ... If you do not factor in the risks, you are likely to have a very unpleasant surprise."

However, an analyst at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs suggested the "red line" was "a psychological PR operation" with little substance.

"It is designed to scare leaders & voters of countries supporting Ukraine," Andreas Umland said.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Older people are less likely to be given antibiotics for common infections by their GP compared with younger adults, a new study suggests.

Elderly people less likely to be given antibiotics despite higher risk, study says

Friends of Prince Andrew say he's "unsurprised" Giuffre made the post

Prince Andrew 'not surprised' his accuser shared shock post saying she had 'four days to live'

Westminster Council is offering staff an online ‘privilege walk’ quiz

'Britain’s wokest council' tells staff to take quiz to check their privilege

Exclusive
Wayne Newman, a pest control expert from OP Kill Pest Control.

'It's a losing battle': On the road with Birmingham's pest control as they tackle city's rat infestation amid bin strike

South Korea's impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea president Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office as impeachment upheld over martial law declaration

NHS hospitals and buildings are plagued by rats, cockroaches, silverfish and other pests, results from the latest staff survey have revealed.

Hospital of horrors: NHS 'plagued by rats and cockroaches' as well as 'sewage leaks and crumbling ceilings'

Sadiq Khan will get new powers to overrule councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Boost for London's nightlife as Khan goes to war with local councils that block pubs and clubs opening late

Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen to put out seven 'lost' albums of unreleased songs

Val Kilmer & Tom Cruise in Top Gun

Tom Cruise breaks silence on 'dear friend' Val Kilmer's death with emotional tribute to Top Gun co-star

Virginia Giuffre

Woman driving Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre during crash that left her with 'four days to live' breaks silence

Prescot, Merseyside

Girl, 13, dies in horror Merseyside house fire as five children escape unharmed

File photo of a Harris hawk

Dive-bombing hawk that terrorised village with string of blood-soaked attacks finally caught by local hero

Exclusive
'Donald Trump has made Putin comfortable,' Mikhail Khodorkovsky has warned

'Trump has made Putin comfortable' despite massive Ukraine war losses, exiled former oligarch tells LBC

New images show the moment the two ships collided.

New images show moment of North Sea crash as investigation reveals neither ship had a 'dedicated lookout'

Washington, DC, USA. 15 Apr 2017. A balloon caricature of President Donald Trump appears at the Tax March protest near the U.S. Capitol.

Buy US chlorinated chicken in return for lower tariffs, Trump tells Britain

From jeans to jet fuel and firearms to whiskey: Britain unveils lengthy list of US items facing tariffs

From jeans to jet fuel and firearms to whisky: Britain unveils lengthy list of US items facing tariffs