FT News Briefing

Should western troops go to Ukraine?

Feb 28, 2024

09:19

Snipd AI

Russian military files reveal criteria for nuclear strike, Macron considers sending western troops to Ukraine, oil and gas profits triple under Joe Biden despite industry's criticism

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Quick takeaways

Russian military files reveal lower thresholds for using tactical nuclear weapons in limited battlefield scenarios in Europe and Asia.

US oil and gas profits tripled under Biden due to factors like COVID-19 recovery and supply restrictions caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Deep dives

Russia's Criteria for Nuclear Strike and Macron's Stance on Sending Troops to Ukraine

The leaked Russian military files revealed lower thresholds for using tactical nuclear weapons, including scenarios where a country damages a significant portion of Russia's strategic ballistic missile submarines. These weapons are intended for limited battlefield use in Europe and Asia, while larger strategic weapons are aimed at the U.S. Macron's consideration of sending troops to Ukraine stirred swift responses from fellow European leaders, with many dismissing the idea. The move seems to aim for strategic ambiguity to remind Russia of Western powers' capabilities.

Introduction

3min

Strategic Ambiguity, NATO Realities, and Artillery Supplies for Ukraine

3min

Analysis of Oil Prices, Industry Sentiments, and Biden's Policies

2min

Impact of Oval Office on Oil and Gas Companies' Profits

2min

Vladimir Putin’s forces have rehearsed using tactical nuclear weapons at an early stage of conflict with a major world power and Emmanuel Macron, president of France, has refused to rule out sending troops to Ukraine. Plus, profits for the biggest US oil and gas producers have almost tripled under President Joe Biden, even as the industry berates his administration’s 'hostile' policies.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Leaked Russian military files reveal criteria for nuclear strike

Macron says sending western troops to Ukraine cannot be ruled out

Germany rebuffs Emmanuel Macron on troops in Ukraine and tells Paris to ‘supply more weapons’

Oil and gas profits triple under Joe Biden even as industry decries him

The FT News Briefing is produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help by Michela Tindera, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Monica Lopez. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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