Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, vowed on Thursday to carry out Moscow’s objectives in Ukraine and strongly cautioned the West from getting more deeply involved in the crisis, citing the possibility of a worldwide nuclear exchange as a reason for doing so. In a state-of-the-nation speech before of the election that he is almost guaranteed to win next month, Putin issued the warning, reiterating his willingness to defend Russian achievements in Ukraine. Putin issued a warning, seemingly in response to French President Emmanuel Macron’s earlier this week remarks that future Western foot troop deployments to Ukraine should not be “ruled out,” stating that doing so would have “tragic” repercussions for the nations who choose to proceed. Putin stated that although Western partners were “selecting targets for striking our territory and selecting the most efficient as they think striking assets and talking about the possibility of sending a NATO contingent to Ukraine,” Russia was still being accused of plots to strike NATO friends in Europe. The Russian president declared, “We remember the fate of those who sent their troop contingents to the territory of our country.” “Now, the possible invaders will face far more tragic consequences.” Putin stated that the West should remember that “we also have the weapons that can strike targets on their territory, and what they are now suggesting and scaring the world with, all that raises the real threat of a nuclear conflict that will mean the destruction of our civilization” while addressing a group of lawmakers and high-ranking officials. “Don’t they understand it?” he asked, implying that Western officials are speculating about the possibility of becoming more deeply involved in the fight. “Those people don’t understand what war is because they haven’t faced any difficult obstacles.” Putin highlighted that Russia has “full readiness” nuclear forces and that the armed forces have deployed powerful new weapons, some of which have been tested in the Ukrainian battlefield.