Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, tensions between NATO countries and the Kremlin have continued, with NATO leaders increasingly warning that direct conflict with Moscow is a realistic possibility. This comes after Putin and senior Russian officials have repeatedly threatened a nuclear escalation in the war against Kyiv and its Western partners.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Russia would not let Ukraine get nuclear weapons, after Ukraine's leader said that since Kyiv had given up its Soviet-era nuclear arms, it must join NATO.

Vladimir Putin responded to the comments of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who expressed on Thursday that his country faces two choices: either join NATO or develop nuclear weapons. "Russia will not allow this to happen,