In response to Macron's comments, Putin brandishes the threat of a nuclear conflict

On Thursday, Vladimir Putin warned the West of a "real threat" of nuclear war if the conflict in Ukraine escalates, in his annual address to the nation, the high point of the year at which he defines Russia's priorities.

Putin did not mince his words after Emmanuel Macron's remarks on Monday evening at the end of an international meeting on Ukraine. " There is no consensus today on sending troops on the ground in an official, accepted and endorsed manner. But as a dynamic process, nothing should be ruled out. "The French President said on Monday evening. Germany, the United States and NATO immediately disassociated themselves from his remarks.

Weapons " capable "to reach the territories of Western countries

To regular applause from the audience, the Russian President responded calmly in his address to the nation on Thursday. The master of the Kremlin felt that these threats were creating a " real "It also said that Russia had nuclear weapons. capable "to reach the territories of Western countries.

Western countries must understand that we too have weapons capable of hitting targets on your territory "warned the President Everything they're inventing at the moment, everything they're frightening the world with, is a real threat of a conflict involving the use of nuclear weapons, which would mean the destruction of civilisation. "he added.

 

Vladimir Putin also welcomed the progress made by his troops in Ukraine, who have scored several successes in recent weeks against Kiev forces on the defensive and short of ammunition. " The military capabilities of the (Russian) armed forces have been multiplied. They are advancing confidently in several directions. "

Russia is " ready for dialogue "with the United States

As a reminder, the Ukrainian army failed in its counter-offensive launched in the summer of 2023 and finds itself on the defensive against more numerous and better armed Russian soldiers. In mid-February, the Russians succeeded in seizing the fortress town of Avdiyevka on the eastern front and are continuing to push forward in this sector, to the satisfaction of Vladimir Putin.

We kept the country together, we didn't allow it to be torn apart".he also said. He also lashed out at the current American authorities, accusing them of " want to show that they run the world as before In his view, Russia is "a threat" to the United States and "a demagoguery" in the run-up to the American presidential election in November. In his view, Russia is " ready for dialogue "with the United States on issues of strategic stability ".

The speech comes on the eve of the funeral of opposition figure Alexei Navalny

Thursday's speech also comes on the eve of the funeral planned in Moscow for his main opponent, anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, who died in prison on 16 February under murky circumstances. Vladimir Putin, who has never mentioned Alexei Navalny's name in public, has yet to comment on the death, which has shocked Western powers.

In his speeches to the nation, Vladimir Putin traditionally takes stock of the past year and sets out new strategic directions in front of his country's political and military elite. He also usually attacks the West, presented as the depraved enemy of the "traditional values" officially defended by the Kremlin. On the same occasion, in February 2023, he accused the West of using the conflict in Ukraine to " to finish "He reiterated his view that they were supporting neo-Nazi forces in Russia in order to consolidate an anti-Russian state there. He also called for " traitors "In Russia, in the midst of a crackdown on any voice critical of the Kremlin's policies and military intervention in Ukraine, with thousands of fines and dozens of heavy prison sentences.

Germany to deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Kiev

According to Der Spiegel, Olaf Scholz will give the green light to this delivery, as requested by Kiev.

Germany is to supply Ukraine with Leopard 2 tanks, as requested by Kiev, two German media reported on Tuesday evening. For its part, the United States may agree to supply Abrams tanks, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to give the go-ahead, probably on Wednesday, for the dispatch of German Leopard 2 type 2A6 tanks, according to Le Spiegel on its website, without citing a source. The media outlet adds that this involves "at least one company", i.e. at least ten heavy tanks. The NTV news channel, quoting sources close to the government, also reports that the German Chancellor, who has been under pressure for several weeks to give his agreement, is preparing to announce it.

World-renowned weapon

When questioned by AFP, the Social Democrat Chancellor's entourage declined to comment on Tuesday evening. The German leader, who is due to address the Bundestag, the lower house of the German parliament, at 12:00 GMT on Wednesday, would also give his agreement to countries, including Poland, that wish to deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Kiev, according to these media.

The Leopard 2 heavy tank, which Ukraine has been demanding for months from Germany and the West, is a world-renowned weapon with the potential to have a "significant" impact on the battlefield, according to experts. Designed by German manufacturer Krauss-Maffei and mass-produced from the late 1970s onwards to replace the American M48 Patton tank and then the Leopard 1 tank, the Leopard 2 combines firepower, mobility and protection.

Finland and Poland ready to do it

In Berlin, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Wednesday morning that he had "expressly encouraged partner countries that have Leopard tanks ready for deployment to train Ukrainian forces on these tanks".

So far, Finland and Poland have said they are ready to do so. Warsaw, which wants to create a "coalition of countries supporting Ukraine with Leopard 2″ tanks, has officially sent a request to this effect, the receipt of which was confirmed by Berlin on Tuesday.

"We will deal with the request as a matter of urgency in accordance with the procedure laid down", a German government spokesman said on Tuesday.

20min.ch