Vladimir Putin was accused of turning his country into a “global pariah” on Wednesday after escalating his “failing” war in Ukraine with a partial mobilisation of Russian troops and a threat of nuclear attack on the West.
In a televised address, the Russian president claimed that his decision to call up reservists was intended to preserve his country’s territorial integrity against what he alleged was Western aggression.
He also warned that his nuclear armed country had “lots of weapons to reply” and would use “all the means at our disposal” to retaliate, adding that his threat was “not a bluff”. But his remarks — which follow a succession of Russian reverses on the battlefield that have seen Ukraine take back large swathes of territory — provoked a rapid international backlash.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Putin’s actions were an admission that Ukraine was winning the war and accused him of sacrificing thousands of Russian soldiers on his failing mission.
“President Putin’s breaking of his own promises not to mobilise parts of the population and the illegal annexation of parts of Ukraine are an admission that his invasion is failing,” Mr Wallace said. “He and his defence minister have sent tens of thousands of their own citizens to their deaths, ill-equipped and badly led.
“No amount of threats and propaganda can hide the fact that Ukraine is winning this war, the international community are united and Russia is becoming a global pariah.”
Foreign Office minister Gillian Keegan said the Russian president’s speech amounted to “more of Putin’s lies” but conceded that his weapons threat was “chilling”. Urging a calm response, she said: “It’s a serious threat, but it’s one that’s been made before.”
In his remarks, Putin claimed that the West was engaged in nuclear blackmail of his country and wanted to see Russia weakened and destroyed, before warning of retaliation.
“Our country also has various means of destruction, and for separate components and more modern than those of Nato countries and when the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, to protect Russia and our people, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal.”
He added: “Those who are trying to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know that the winds may blow in their direction. This is not a bluff.”
The international denunciations continued, however, with the US ambassador in Ukraine, Bridget Brink, saying the partial mobilisation was a sign of Russian weakness and failure.
Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte accused Putin of “panic”, adding: “His rhetoric on nuclear weapons is something we have heard many times before, and it leaves us cold.”
The TV address was delayed for 13 hours, sparking Kremlin rumours that Putin suffered coughing fits and chest pains in the lead-up to the speech.
Doctors were allegedly called to his aid before it eventually went ahead.
Putin’s decision to order a partial mobilisation — which his defence minister said would apply initially to 300,000 reservists with military experience — comes after the Kremlin’s announcement of referendums in four captured regions in Ukraine.
Residents will be asked if they want to become part of Russia in a move which could give Putin a chance to claim a victory, as well risking the possibility that any Ukrainian attempt to recapture the regions will be portrayed as a Western-backed attack on Russia’s sovereign territory. Changes are also being implemented to Russia’s criminal code to strengthen penalties for desertion, surrender and refusal to fight.
A strong response to Putin’s address is also expected from President Biden, who was already preparing to denounce Russia for violating fundamental parts of the UN Charter in a speech on Wednesday to the United Nations in New York. Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky is also due to speak at the meeting.
