Vladimir Putin’s latest expansion of scenarios for using nuclear weapons aims to strike fear in the West, with experts warning this could lead to a "very unpleasant surprise." On Wednesday, Putin broadened the conditions under which Russia might use nuclear weapons, particularly if Western leaders allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike targets deep inside Russian territory.Nikolai Sokov, a former Soviet and Russian diplomat, emphasized that this move was intended to send a "very clear message": any escalation that crosses these boundaries could mean nuclear war. Sokov expressed concern over the dismissive attitude some have taken, noting that the situation is unfamiliar and ignoring the risks could lead to devastating consequences.