The question is, will Putin use nuclear weapons? The answer depends on the level of conflict in the conflict and the type of nuclear weapon used. If a war breaks out, Putin is unlikely to resort to nuclear weapons. He would probably resort to more conventional attacks against Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure, or on allied weapons resupply missions. However, nuclear deterrence is a strong force in times of peace, and will likely play a role in any future conflict.
But the odds of a nuclear war remain extremely low. The odds of nuclear Armageddon remain low, but the world should not take any chances. The world would be in danger if Russia used nuclear weapons, and the US and other nations would likely condemn Russia as an aggressor. While there is no evidence yet that Putin will use nuclear weapons, he must remain on good terms with China for economic, diplomatic, and high-technology imports.
Aside from using nuclear weapons, Putin could pursue a number of other options, including toppling the Kiev government and installing a new, compliant regime. He could also target the supply lines of military equipment into Ukraine and strike far-off targets without nuclear weapons. But if he did use nuclear weapons, he would need to justify it. In addition to using nuclear weapons, he could choose to use conventional force in order to gain control of a city, which would only serve to demoralize the Ukrainian army.
