How seriously should we take Vladimir Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons against the West?

Using weapons of mass destruction would be a last resort for Vladimir Putin as it would invite global condemnation and risk a retaliatory attack, says our helpful Q&A

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Putin says the West's goal is 'to weaken and destroy'

Russian President Vladimir Putin today issued a chilling nuclear threat to the rest of the world that has alarmed key Western leaders.

In his menacing and often rambling message, he claimed the West had blackmailed Russia — and threatened to use nuclear weapons in retaliation.

The warmonger said he had "plenty of guns to respond" to so-called Western threats and insisted he wasn't lying.

After claiming he would use the guns several times before, he insisted in his Wednesday statement that it was "not a bluff" - so how serious is he? How seriously should we take Vladimir Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons?

Russian President Vladimir Putin again threatened to use nuclear weapons (

Picture:

by Reuters)

The risk of a nuclear strike by Russia can never be ruled out. Putin's behavior is increasingly erratic and irrational: if he behaved rationally, he would never have invaded Ukraine.

It was obvious that he emphasized that his words were "not a bluff". This could be interpreted as an admission that his previous threats were just that.

Using weapons of mass destruction would be Putin's option of last resort. This would invite global condemnation and risk a retaliatory attack.

It would also be the action most likely to trigger a coup against the Russian leader.

Why is the Russian leader stepping up his war rhetoric?