French President Emmanuel Macron, in response to new threats from Russian leader Vladimir Putin regarding Russia’s readiness for nuclear war, has stated that France is a “nuclear power” and it is inappropriate to make such threats when “you have nuclear weapons.”
“Above all, we must feel protected because we are a nuclear power. We are ready; we have a doctrine for the use of nuclear weapons,” Macron said.
He expressed that when it comes to nuclear weapons, “there is no need to boast, because this imposes a responsibility not to escalate ever.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the West that Russia is technically ready for nuclear war and that if the US sends troops to Ukraine, it will be seen as a significant escalation of the conflict.
The New York Times reported on March 10 that the United States was preparing a “non-nuclear” response by the end of 2022 if Russia were to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine.
On February 29, Putin addressed the Russian Federal Assembly, speaking, among other things, about the “full readiness” of nuclear forces and warned of the consequences if NATO deploys troops in Ukraine.