Vladimir Putin has made a direct threat to nuke the West as he accused NATO and the US of ‘preparing to strike’ Russia in his annual address to the nation.

The Russian president, 71, said: ‘They, NATO and America, are active in other parts of the world, of course, and they continue to lie there, to deceive. 

‘They are preparing to strike our territory and, using the best possible forces, the most effective forces to do so.

‘But we remember the fate of those who try to invade our territory and of course their fate will be much more tragic than anything we could face.’

Putin repeatedly lauded Russia’s vastly modernised nuclear arsenal in his speech and added as a warning to the West: ‘They have to understand that we also have weapons, weapons that can defeat them on their own territory. 

‘Of course all this is very dangerous, because it could actually trigger the use of nuclear weapons. Do they not understand that?’ 

The Russian despot also chillingly assured that ‘strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness for guaranteed use’, but warned the use of nuclear weapons would equal the ‘destruction of civilisation’.

Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on as he delivers his annual address to the Federal Assembly, in Moscow, Russia, February 29 

The Russian despot also chillingly assured that ‘strategic nuclear forces are in a state of full readiness for guaranteed use’ (pictured here: Russian missile being launched)

People stand in front of a large screen that shows a live broadcast of the Russian President Vladimir Putin delivering his annual address to the Federal Assembly, in Moscow, Russia, February 29

Speaking to an audience of lawmakers and top officials televised live nationwide, Putin said that Russia was ‘defending its sovereignty and security and protecting our compatriots’ in Ukraine

He also told NATO countries that their threats have created a ‘real’ risk of nuclear war if they sent troops to Ukraine, adding that Russia must strengthen its western military district after Finland and Sweden’s admission to the Atlantic alliance as Finland has a long land border with northwest Russia.

‘They should eventually realise that we also have weapons that can hit targets on their territory. 

‘Everything that the West comes up with creates the real threat of a conflict with the use of nuclear weapons, and thus the destruction of civilisation,’ Putin added. 

The United States and key European allies this week said they had no plans to send ground troops to Ukraine, after France hinted at the possibility.

He also claimed that the West was trying to ‘drag’ Russia into an arms race. ‘They are trying to wear us down, to repeat the trick they succeeded (in pulling off) with the Soviet Union in the 1980s.

‘Therefore, our task is to develop the defence-industrial complex in such a way as to increase the scientific, technological and industrial potential of the country.

‘We need to distribute resources as rationally as possible and build an efficient economy of the armed forces, to achieve the maximum for every rouble of defence expenditures.’

In terms of allies, Putin said he believes it is important for Russia to strengthen ties with Arab countries and Latin American countries.

He also praised policies from allied countries such as the ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative in China – a global infrastructure strategy.

He further hailed Russian national unity amid the fighting in Ukraine in his state-of-the-nation address ahead of next month’s election he’s all but certain to win.

Speaking to an audience of lawmakers and top officials televised live nationwide, Putin promised that his troops in Ukraine would ‘not back down’. 

He also hailed Russian soldiers and honored those who were killed in fighting with a moment of silence.

Putin, who is running as an independent candidate in the March 15-17 presidential election, relies on the tight control over Russia’s political system that he has established during 24 years in power.

People stand in front of a large screen that shows a live broadcast of the Russian President Vladimir Putin delivering his annual address to the Federal Assembly, in Moscow, Russia, February 29

Putin repeated threats against the West in his annual address this morning and praised Russia’s supremacy

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives to deliver his annual state of the nation address at the Gostiny Dvor conference centre in central Moscow on February 29

Putin was smiling as he delivered his speech outlining defence and domestic policies

Vehicles drive past a huge screen displaying the broadcast of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin’s annual state of the nation address on the facade of a building in Moscow on February 29

Prominent critics who could challenge him have either been imprisoned or are living abroad while most independent media has been banned, meaning that his re-election for another six-year term is all but assured.

He faces token opposition from three other candidates nominated by Kremlin-friendly parties represented in parliament.

Russia’s best-known opposition leader Alexei Navalny, whose attempt to run against Mr Putin in 2018 was rejected, died suddenly in an Arctic prison colony earlier this month, while serving a 19-year sentence on extremism charges. His funeral is set for Friday.

Mr Putin has repeatedly said that he sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022 to protect Russian interests and prevent Ukraine from posing a major security threat to Russia by joining Nato. 

Kyiv and its allies have denounced it as an unprovoked act of aggression.

The Russian leader has repeatedly signalled a desire to negotiate an end to the fighting but warned that Russia will hold on to its gains.

He said that Russia was ‘ready for dialogue’ with the US ‘on strategic stability’.

‘Recently there have been more and more unsubstantiated accusations against Russia, for example that we are allegedly going to deploy nuclear weapons in space. 

‘Such innuendo, which is nothing but innuendo, is a ploy to draw us into negotiations on their own terms, which are favourable only to the United States.

‘Therefore, we have every reason to believe that the words of today’s American authorities about their alleged interest in negotiations with us on strategic stability issues are demagoguery… 

‘On the eve of the US presidential election, they simply want to show their citizens and everyone else that they still rule the world.’

He also addressed the war in Ukraine in his speech, claiming Russia was ‘defending its sovereignty and security and protecting the lives of our fellow countrymen in Donbas and Novorossiya’, which are regions of Ukraine that Russia claims to have annexed.

‘The decisive role in this righteous struggle belongs to our citizens, our unity, devotion to our native country and responsibility for its fate,’ Putin added.

‘These qualities were clearly and unambiguously manifested at the very beginning of the special military operation, when it was supported by the absolute majority of the Russian people. 

A man works at a petrol station as a large screen shows a live broadcast of the Russian President Vladimir Putin delivering his annual address to the Federal Assembly, in Moscow, Russia, February 29

Ukrainian servicemen of 56th Separate motorized infantry brigade prepare to fire a Czech made Dana self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, near the town of Bakhmut in Donetsk region, Ukraine February 28

Firefighters extinguish a fire after a Russian attack on a residential neighborhood in Kharkiv, Ukraine February 10

A view shows heavily damaged apartment buildings in the frontline town of Orikhiv, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine February 28

‘Despite all the trials and bitterness of losses, people are adamant in this choice.

‘We did not start this war in Donbas. As I have said many times, we will do everything to end it, to eradicate Nazism. To fulfill all the tasks of the special military operation. To protect the sovereignty and security of our citizens.’ 

The war in Ukraine has triggered the worst crisis in Moscow’s relations with the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis and Putin has previously warned of the dangers of a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.

Visibly angry, Putin, Russia’s paramount leader for more than two decades, suggested Western politicians recall the fate of those, like Nazi Germany’s Adolf Hitler and France’s Napoleon Bonaparte who unsuccessfully invaded his country in the past.

‘But now the consequences will be far more tragic,’ said Putin. ‘They think it (war) is a cartoon,’ he said.

After outlining defence strategies, Putin turned to domestic policies, promising he would reduce taxes for small and medium-sized businesses as well as provide more money to support struggling Russian families and to boost the birth rate. 

Putin also claimed that Russia will be among the four largest economic powers in the world by purchasing power in the near future.

Boasting vast natural resources, Russia’s gross domestic product (GDP) rebounded sharply last year from a slump in 2022, but the growth relies heavily on state-funded arms and ammunition production for the war in Ukraine, masking problems that are hampering an improvement in Russians’ living standards.