Putin’s nuclear threat over Ukraine ‘deplorable’, says UK foreign minister

Vladimir Putin’s threatened use of nuclear weapons over Ukraine has been condemned as “irresponsible and deplorable” by a UK foreign minister.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon levelled his criticism in Parliament after the Russian leader warned the West against deeper involvement in the conflict, saying that such a move risked triggering a global war that would see “the destruction of our civilisation”.

Mr Putin’s comments were made in a state-of-the-nation address following the second anniversary of the invasion by Kremlin forces and ahead of next month’s election that he is all but certain to win.

Responding at Westminster, Lord Ahmad told peers: “Nothing surprises us or shocks us in terms of what Mr Putin articulates.

“It is not the first time he has articulated such comments.

“It is irresponsible, it is wrong and the use or the threatened use of such weapons is frankly quite deplorable.

“Whether he is using it with intent or as shock tactic I can’t speculate on that.

“But what I can say, and I am sure I speak for everyone in the House, is that the last thing anyone wants to hear right now is the use of threatening to use such weapons.”