Putin warns that sending Western troops to Ukraine risks a global nuclear conflict

The Russian president vowed to fulfil his objectives in Ukraine and claimed his country's citizens are overwhelmingly supportive of the invasion.
President Vladimir Putin has used his state-of-the-nation address to hail Russian national unity and warn the West against deeper involvement in the war between Russia and Ukraine. His speech comes ahead of an election he’s all but certain to win, with serious contenders legally excluded from the race. Addressing an audience of top officials in a speech broadcast live nationwide, Putin said that Russia was “defending its sovereignty and security and protecting our compatriots.” Putin hailed Russian soldiers and honoured those who were killed in fighting with a moment of silence. He insisted that the so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine enjoyed the support of most Russian citizens – this even as new polling shows Russians' support for the war in Ukraine is collapsing.