Russian President Vladimir Putin's implied warning that he could launch nuclear weapons against any country that interferes with his military campaign in Ukraine
And while NATO allies, including the U.S., have assured they will not engage militarily in Ukraine, some experts suggest the Russian president's comments should not be taken as empty threats.
Putin's threat of 'such consequences'
Speaking from the Kremlin on Thursday morning as he launched the Russian military's invasion of Ukraine, Putin said Russia would respond instantly if any external force tried to interfere.
Whoever tries to hinder us, and even more so, to create threats to our country, to our people, should know that Russia's response will be immediate. And it will lead you to such consequences that you have never encountered in your history, the Russian president said.