Putin makes direct nuke threat to West if Nato sends troops to Ukraine 

Vladimir Putin has made a direct threat to nuke the west saying that Russia’s nuclear weapons are ready.

The Russian President said during his State of the Nation Address: ‘They, Nato and America, are active in other parts of the world, of course, and they continue to lie there, to deceive. 

‘They are preparing to strike our territory and, using the best possible forces, the most effective forces to do so.

‘But we remember the fate of those who try to invade our territory and of course their fate will be much more tragic than anything we could face. 

‘They have to understand that we also have weapons, weapons that can defeat them on their own territory. 

‘Of course all this is very dangerous, because it could actually trigger the use of nuclear weapons. Do they not understand that?’

Putin has been speaking to an audience of top officials and lawmakers during the live nationwide televised speech.

He also said there will be ‘tragic’ consequences if the West decides to send troops to Ukraine.

He warned: ‘They need to understand we too have weapons that can strike targets on their territory.’