What is the risk of nuclear war? in the Ukraine conflict
It is not entirely clear, Western analysts say. UK of Putin’s language gauge Putin used did not quite fit their understanding of the alert levels for Russian nuclear weapons.
Some think Putin was ordering a movie from the lowest alert level, "constant", to the next level up, "elevated" (with "military danger" and "full" still above), but that was not certain. Each move increases readiness for weapons to be used.
Many though have interpreted the move primarily as a form of public signalling rather than indicating an actual intent to use such weapons, which Putin knows will bring nuclear retaliation by the West. UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has stated that.
That does not mean there are no risks, and the situation is likely to be watched closely.
Last week, Putin had warned in more coded language that if other countries interfered with Russia's plans, they would face the consequences the "like of which they have never seen". That was widely interpreted as a warning for Nato not to become directly militarily involved in Ukraine.
Nato has always been clear it will not do that, knowing it could trigger direct conflict with Russia, escalating into nuclear war. Sunday's warning was more natural and public.
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