President Vladimir V. Putin has once again resorted to nuclear threats, a tactic he has employed three times in the past two years. This time the threats come at a crucial moment, as he believes he is gaining the upper hand in the war against Ukraine and testing the resolve of the Biden administration.

Each time Putin brandishes the nuclear card, it serves as a reminder to his adversaries of the dangers of further escalation. The latest threat, delivered in a speech that resembled a State of the Union address, included a warning that Russia would not negotiate a new arms control treaty with the United States unless it had a say in deciding Ukraine’s fate.

The underlying message seems to be a form of nuclear blackmail. By linking nuclear controls to the survival of the Ukrainian state, Putin is hinting at the possibility of letting existing arms control agreements lapse, giving Russia a free hand to deploy more nuclear weapons.

While Putin claims he is not interested in reigniting an arms race with the United States, his rhetoric suggests otherwise. He portrays the U.S. as a hostile entity that poses a strategic threat to Russia, setting the stage for a return to the tensions of the Cold War era.

The specter of nuclear weapons in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has added a new layer of anxiety. Russian military officials have openly discussed the possibility of using nuclear weapons if conventional forces fail, heightening fears of a catastrophic escalation.

This current situation has put the Biden administration and NATO allies on edge. Despite growing confidence that Putin may not seek a direct conflict with NATO, the nuclear saber rattling continues to sow fear and uncertainty.

In his address, Putin painted Russia as a victim rather than an aggressor, criticizing NATO for contemplating military intervention in Ukraine. The recent divide among Western allies regarding military support for Ukraine has only played into Putin’s hands, allowing him to exploit the West’s vulnerabilities.

The timing of Putin’s nuclear threats coincides with a moment of heightened anxieties in the West. Comments from former President Trump and the reluctance of Congress to provide more arms to Ukraine have created a sense of vulnerability that Putin appears keen to exploit.

For Putin, victory in Ukraine is not just a tactical objective but a strategic imperative tied to his vision of Russia’s resurgence. The mention of nuclear weapons serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in the conflict and the lengths to which he is willing to go to secure his goals.

However, the embrace of nuclear threats also underscores Russia’s vulnerabilities. By relying more heavily on its nuclear arsenal, Russia reveals its limitations in conventional military capabilities, raising the specter of a dangerous escalation.

As the situation continues to unfold, it is crucial for global leaders to navigate the delicate balance between deterring Russian aggression and preventing a catastrophic escalation. The stakes are high, and the specter of nuclear confrontation looms large, highlighting the urgent need for diplomatic solutions to end the crisis in Ukraine.