Putin warns of nuclear war if West sends troops to Ukraine

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin delivers his annual state of the nation address at the Gostiny Dvor conference center in Moscow, Feb. 29, 2024. (Photo by Dmitry Astakhov / Pool / AFP)

WASHINGTON: Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Western countries on Thursday that they risk initiating a nuclear war if they send troops into Ukraine, saying Russia has the weapons to strike targets in the West.