Confident Putin warns Europe is ‘defenceless’

The recent speech by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum has been a topic of discussion, especially in the context of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Putin's confident and determined tone during the speech has raised concerns, particularly when he claimed that Russia wouldn't need to use a nuclear weapon to achieve victory in Ukraine. This statement comes at a time when tensions between Russia and the West are at an all-time high, with Russia being the most heavily sanctioned country in the world due to its involvement in the war in Ukraine. Putin also issued a warning to European countries, stating that they are 'defenceless' and that Russia has 'many more tactical nuclear weapons' than there are on the European continent. This has further escalated the tensions between Russia and the West, with concerns about the implications of such statements. The St Petersburg International Economic Forum, often referred to as 'Russia's Davos', has been a platform for Russia to showcase its readiness for cooperation despite the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. However, the situation is far from business as usual, with the speech by Putin adding to the surreal atmosphere in St Petersburg.