Putin advisor calls for punishing Europe with nuclear strikes

A prominent Russian academic who has advised the Kremlin for decades says Europe should be “punished” — potentially with nuclear weapons — if NATO does not withdraw from Russia’s borders.

Sergei Karaganov, a professor with long-standing influence over Russian foreign and security policy, made the remarks in a January 2026 interview with Danish broadcaster DR for its documentary War Plan Europe. He described NATO as a “criminal alliance” that should be “pushed into the dustbin of history” and dismissed dialogue with the bloc as a mistake.

“If Europeans continue their aggression, we should use nuclear weapons and finish it. And solve the European problem for humanity,” Karaganov said, though he denied Russia would launch an unprovoked attack. Punishment, he argued, would be justified if Europe escalates tensions by sending troops to Ukraine or deepening involvement in the conflict.

Karaganov, who has previously advocated nuclear threats to deter the West, acknowledged that his views are more extreme than those of some in Russia’s leadership. The Russian embassy in Denmark told DR that Moscow has no intention of striking Europe with nuclear weapons.

He described current European leaders as “total failures” across social, economic, political, and environmental policy, accusing them of stoking war hysteria. A direct war with Russia, he warned, would mean “almost instant annihilation” for Europe.

Russia has already lowered its threshold for nuclear use, Karaganov noted, adding that he hopes deterrence will be enough to avoid conflict. “Otherwise, sooner or later, we will have to do what we have to do,” he said.