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

The Nintendo Switch 2 will release on June 5, 2025

Nintendo Switch 2: Exciting reveal, but why is it more expensive here?

BRITAIN-FUNERAL-POLICE

Funeral director charged with 64 offences including fraud, theft and preventing 30 lawful burials

swallow-tail

Brits urged to 'stop mowing lawns' amid 'national butterfly crisis' with more than half of species in decline

Kyle Kitchen, 38, murdered eight-week-old Primose Kane

Dad who murdered daughter by violently shaking her as baby is jailed for life

Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza

Israel expands ground attack on Gaza to seize 'large areas' - despite pleas from hostage families

Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, tried to kill his estranged wife

Old Etonian who tried to murder his estranged partner by throwing her down a 240ft well is jailed for 24 years

Kaliyah Coa, 11, was reportedly down at the water when she was 'swept away'

Pictured: Missing 11-year-old 'swept away' while paddling in the River Thames

Hot cross buns could be scarce this Easter as farmers continue to protest against Rachel Reeves' 'tractor tax'.

Hot cross bun shortage looms as farmers escalate 'tractor tax' protests

Tanesha Melbourne-Blake was shot

Teenage girl shot dead during gang 'ride-out' following social media humiliation

Mother and two children struck and killed by a vehicle in Brooklyn, New York: driver operating suspended license

Brit mum and daughters, eight and five, killed in crash by driver who said 'I have the devil in me'

Deborah Gosling, donor Julie Wild’s twin sister, greets Corinne Hutton in an emotional first meeting

Hand transplant recipient hugs donor's sister in emotional first meeting

One Newcastle Fan proved his devotion to his club by getting a QR code tattoo - linking to a video of their cup final goal.

Newcastle Fan has QR code tattooed on leg linking to video of cup final goal - but rival fans work to get clip taken down

Fran Jones collapsed on court during a match in Colombia

British tennis star Fran Jones collapses during her match and leaves court in wheelchair

CCTV shows moment plain-clothed police officers in Exeter swoop in on alleged shoplifter

New way to tackle shoplifters introduced in Devon after huge rise in thefts - with businesses urged to report crimes

Police said two people died on Palliser Road, Roseneath.

British couple found dead at home in New Zealand - just months after moving to 'begin new chapter'

The couple said they had previously been banned from entering Cowley Hill Primary School, in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

WhatsApp row messages revealed that led to police raid on school parents home