00:00 It might be an election year in the US, but it's also time for Russian citizens to cast their votes as well.
00:06 And ahead of an inevitable Putin win, the de facto leader set for an interview
00:10 and had some pretty bombastic and troubling rhetoric for both his electorate and the world.
00:15 The war in Ukraine has been going for over two years now, with recent increased fighting and no end in sight.
00:21 While the US recently passed a new aid package only this week headed for the embattled nation,
00:25 there are no plans to send aid in the form of soldiers.
00:29 However, Putin told an interviewer recently, if the Americans do send troops, Moscow will treat them as interventionists.
00:35 He also said recently that Russia will be sending troops to Finland's border, now that they have officially joined NATO.
00:41 Putin's most troubling topic, however, was his touching once again on Russia's nuclear arsenal,
00:46 discussing their readiness and superiority over their Western counterparts, saying about it, quote,
00:52 "From the technical point of view, of course we are ready. The missiles are constantly combat-ready.
00:57 This is firstly. Secondly, and this is accepted by everybody, our nuclear triad is more modern than any other triad."
01:04 Is it really though? So far, US authorities have yet to respond,
01:08 but the Russian leader added that if the US begins nuclear tests once again, Russia will do the same.
01:14 (upbeat music)
