Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Western countries could provoke a nuclear war if they send troops to help in the war against Ukraine. In his annual State of the Nation address, he said Russia has nuclear weapons and “the results could be tragic” if Western countries send in ground forces. Earlier this week, we mentioned that French President Emmanuel Macron had suggested troops could be sent into Ukraine to stop Russia – an idea the US, Britain and Germany rejected. He is vying for another 6-year term when Russia goes to the polls mid-March – although vying might be too strong a term for what that election is shaping up to be… Putin also addressed domestic issues, and one pressing problem is health. He urged Russians to “stop drinking and start skiing!” Words to live by…