Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions have been described by some analysts as a form of nuclear blackmail, intended to pressure the West into reconsidering its support for Ukraine. This perspective suggests that Putin is leveraging Russia's nuclear capabilities to deter further Western military or economic assistance to Ukraine, which has been at the center of a conflict that began in 2014 and escalated significantly in 2022. The ideology that Putin is said to support is often characterized as alarming by critics and foreign governments. It is centered around a belief in the "end of the world," a concept that implies a dramatic and potentially apocalyptic transformation of global power structures. This ideology, sometimes referred to as "Russkiy Mir" or the "Russian World," emphasizes the revival of Russian influence and the rejection of Western values and institutions. Some analysts suggest that this worldview is rooted in a deep-seated belief in Russia's historical role as a global power and a conviction that the West is engaged in a long-term effort to weaken Russia. This perspective is said to influence Putin's decision-making, particularly in how he views the conflict in Ukraine as a pivotal moment in this broader struggle. The use of the term "end of the world" in this context is not literal but rather metaphorical, reflecting a belief that the current international order is on the brink of collapse. This idea has been used to justify more aggressive policies, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. It also contributes to a narrative that frames Russia's actions as a necessary response to Western encroachment and perceived threats to its sovereignty.