Top Headline of the day | 28 Feb 2022

NATO claimed on Sunday that President Vladimir Putin's decision to put his nuclear troops on alert is "irresponsible," news agency AFP reported. "This is dangerous rhetoric. This is a behaviour which is irresponsible," Jens Stoltenberg, the alliance's secretary-general, warned CNN escalating tensions over Russia's assault on Ukraine. Earlier today, President Vladimir Putin directed Russia's nuclear deterrent forces to be placed on high alert amidst mounting concerns with the West over his attack on Ukraine, news agency Associated Press reported. At a meeting with senior staff, Putin said that prominent NATO powers had made "aggressive statements," in addition to the West imposing tough financial sanctions on Russia, including the president himself. Putin has directed Russia's nuclear weapons to be prepared for heightened launch readiness, according to the warning. He told Russia's defence minister and Chief of the General Staff to put nuclear-weapons units on a "special combat duty regime."