French President, Emmanuel Macron recently travelled to Moscow on a diplomatic mission to curb tempers and dissuade Russia from launching attacks on Ukraine. During the joint press conference, Vladimir Putin, in not so many words, threatened Russia with nuclear destruction if they Joined NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and tried the take-back Crimea (former territory of Ukraine now under Russia) through military means.
In the video being circulated of the press conference, Putin is heard saying; “If Ukraine joins NATO and decides to take Crimea back through military means, the European countries will automatically get drawn into a military conflict with Russia, but there will be no winners, and you will find yourself drawn into this conflict against your will.”
The last statement is quite chilling as it paints a picture of a man who is willing to die along with his enemies as long as he doesn’t lose. Putin is confident that Russia’s nuclear arsenal is more than enough to send an unforgettable message and settle things once and for all. This is not the first time that Vladimir Putin is hinting at war, but it might be more than a bluff this time.
Many have expressed concern over Putin’s ignorant belief that Ukraine joining NATO threatens Russia’s Annexation of Crimea. According to trans-Atlantic observers, multiple elements- that have little chance of occurring- have to be in place for Ukraine to execute such an endeavour successfully. This point is further proven by the fact that Ukraine has tried to join NATO for years but have been refused membership by the alliance.
The former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bill Taylor, stated to the Washington Examiner that Ukraine could not try to take back Crimea even if they became a part of NATO because the rest of the alliance wouldn’t let them. All of these seem like another one of those power shows that political leaders turn to when their egos are a little bruised. Still, if there is one thing that war has taught us over the years, it is that it always seems so far away until it is right at our doorstep.
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