(CBN News) Russian President Vladimir Putin dramatically escalated East-West tensions over his invasion of Ukraine by ordering Russian nuclear forces put on high alert Sunday in response to what he called “aggressive statements” by leading NATO powers.
The order means Putin wants Russia’s nuclear weapons prepared for increased readiness to launch, and it raises the threat that Moscow’s invasion and the West’s response could boil over into nuclear warfare.
“Western countries aren’t only taking unfriendly actions against our country in the economic sphere, but top officials from leading NATO members made aggressive statements regarding our country,” Putin said in televised comments.