Vladimir Putin threatens Nato countries of nuclear war if they send troops to Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday warned other members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) of the possibility of a nuclear exchange if they sent soldiers to Ukraine and encouraged Russia to fortify its Western military sector in the wake of Finland and Sweden's admission.

"Russia will not allow anyone to interfere in its internal affairs," said Putin during his annual address to the Russian parliament.

Putin slammed French President Macron for saying that the deployment of Western foot soldiers to Ukraine should not be "ruled out," claiming that doing so would have "tragic" repercussions for the participating nations.

According to Putin, "special military operations" are supported by the vast majority of Russians.

"The combat capabilities of the armed forces have increased manifold. Our units are firmly in possession of the initiative. They are confidently advancing in a number of operational directions, liberating new territories," he said.

After delivering his yearly speech to the Russian Parliament two weeks prior to the anticipated election, Putin, who has been in office for more than 20 years, declared his decision to run for a second six-year term in March of the following year.