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Significance
Putin's warning came in a September 30 speech celebrating the annexation of four Ukrainian regions, itself a new phase in the war. Moscow claims the right to defend captured lands by the same doctrinal rules that apply to Russia. Unlike Washington, Moscow explicitly allows for first nuclear arms use in its military doctrine.
Impacts
Western states and most other countries will not accept the annexation as a legal or moral move.
The annexation ends any discussion of returning Crimea, yet Ukraine will no longer discuss anything short of a complete Russian withdrawal.
The suspected sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines may be an early move to escalate confrontation with Western states.
Keywords:
Russia,
RUCIS,
NATO,
Ukraine,
United States,
RUSSIA/UKRAINE,
international relations,
invasion,
nuclear weapons,
war
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2022
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