A senior Kremlin strategist has threatened nuclear weapons use against the UK and Europe if Russia faces defeat in Ukraine. The warning coincides with Britain deploying approximately 1,500 Royal Marines to the Arctic as part of a joint security operation with allied nations.
Sergey Karaganov, who chairs Russia's Council for Foreign and Defence Policy, told American commentator Tucker Carlson that Vladimir Putin «would use nuclear weapons and Europe would be finished physically» if Western support leads to a Ukrainian victory. He criticized his own government for being «too prudent and too patient» with European nations.
Karaganov dismissed any prospect of Russian defeat as a «fantastic illusion» and accused European leaders of «intellectual incapacity». He told Carlson: «Everybody in the world now laughs at Europe, which used to be one of the core centres of world power. Now it's a joke. And of course, I am not speaking of all Europe.»
The strategist warned that Russia would «have to punish them severely» if European nations continue supporting Ukraine. He claimed European leaders are unable to fully understand the situation and «believe that war will never come to their territory.» Russia's task, he said, is to «bring them to [their] senses hopefully without using nuclear weapons.»
Arctic deployment
Britain has upgraded its military presence in the Arctic and High North by deploying Royal Marines and a military officer to Denmark for reconnaissance ahead of a planned Arctic Endurance exercise. Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Norway and France are all sending personnel to the joint mission.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: «We share President Trump's concern about the security of the High North. And you see this as part of Nato and JEF nations stepping up to reinforce security in the High North. Stepping up with stronger exercising, to deter the Russian aggression and the Chinese activity.»
Denmark's defence minister Troels Lund Poulsen said Wednesday that «no one can predict what will happen tomorrow.» The joint operation aims to strengthen operational ability in the region and bolster security.
Greenland tensions
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested an American invasion of Greenland, despite rebuffs from Danish and Greenlandic officials. Trump claims Russia or China could soon gain control of Greenland, though neither nation has confirmed this as an objective. Greenland, as part of NATO-member Denmark, is covered by the alliance's Article 5 protections.
The Ukraine war has now lasted nearly four years, surpassing the duration of the Soviet Union's fight against Nazi Germany from 1941 to 1945. Russian casualties are estimated at more than one million.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
