howPutin has instructed the forces in charge of nuclear weapons to be prepared for war

Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Western nations of taking "unfriendly steps" towards Moscow since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, he instructed defense chiefs to keep a high profile alert on his country's nuclear arsenal. News AFP

The Russian president made the remarks in a speech broadcast on state television on Sunday. He said he had instructed the defense minister and the head of the armed forces to keep the Russian military's nuclear weapons team in readiness for war.

Pointing to the various sanctions imposed on Russia at the time, Putin said that not only were Western countries treating the Russian economy unfavorably, but that senior officials in the Western military alliance, NATO, were also making aggressive statements against Russia.

Russia's central bank, meanwhile, has been facing sanctions from the West since the invasion of Ukraine. The European Union (EU), the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada announced the seizure of Russian central bank assets in various European countries on Saturday. The United States, the European Union and other Western nations have also announced that Russian banks will be removed from Swift, the international financial exchange system.

Russia's central bank, meanwhile, has been facing sanctions from the West since the invasion of Ukraine. The European Union (EU), the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada announced the seizure of Russian central bank assets in various European countries on Saturday. The United States, the European Union and other Western nations have also announced that Russian banks will be removed from Swift, the international financial exchange system.

Russia's central bank, meanwhile, has been facing sanctions from the West since the invasion of Ukraine. The European Union (EU), the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada announced the seizure of Russian central bank assets in various European countries on Saturday. The United States, the European Union and other Western nations have also announced that Russian banks will be removed from Swift, the international financial exchange system.

Russia's central bank, meanwhile, has been facing sanctions from the West since the invasion of Ukraine. The European Union (EU), the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada announced the seizure of Russian central bank assets in various European countries on Saturday. The United States, the European Union and other Western nations have also announced that Russian banks will be removed from Swift, the international financial exchange system.

Russia's central bank, meanwhile, has been facing sanctions from the West since the invasion of Ukraine. The European Union (EU), the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada announced the seizure of Russian central bank assets in various European countries on Saturday. The United States, the European Union and other Western nations have also announced that Russian banks will be removed from Swift, the international financial exchange system.

Russia's central bank, meanwhile, has been facing sanctions from the West since the invasion of Ukraine. The European Union (EU), the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada announced the seizure of Russian central bank assets in various European countries on Saturday. The United States, the European Union and other Western nations have also announced that Russian banks will be removed from Swift, the international financial exchange system.