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Ukraine war: Putin is not bluffing about nuclear weapons, EU says

Ukraine war: Putin is not bluffing about nuclear weapons, EU says

The EU must take seriously Vladimir Putin's threats that he may use nuclear weapons in the conflict in Ukraine, the bloc's foreign policy chief has said.

Josep Borrell told the BBC 's Lyse Doucet that the war had reached a "dangerous moment".

His remarks come as Russia began a partial mobilization to annex four regions of Ukraine.

"It's certainly a dangerous moment because Putin's reaction by threatening to use nuclear weapons - it's very bad," Mr. Borrell said.

"Or we can end the war, but we will not have peace and we will have another war," he said.

In a rare address to the nation earlier this week, Putin said his country had "various weapons of destruction" and would "use all available means," adding: "I'm not bluffing."

"When people say it's not a bluff, you have to take them seriously," Mr Borrell said.

In the same speech, President Putin announced the call-up of 300,000 Russians who have completed mandatory military service, sparking protests and reports of people fleeing the country to avoid being sent to the front lines.

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