Is Putin’s ‘red line’ a real threat or a bluff?

Deep dive — Does President Vladimir Putin have a real “red line” against the West regarding the war in Ukraine? So what will he do when the two intersect? These are important questions for Ukraine and its supporters, and a growing number of policymakers and analysts believe the West is getting the wrong answers.

Since the beginning of the war, Putin has threatened to use Russia’s nuclear weapons if the West “interferences” with his “special military operations” in Ukraine. The West has often delayed arms shipments or imposed restrictions on their use out of concern that they would overstep the Kremlin’s red line and lead to a dangerous escalation.