President Vladimir Putin warned the West on Wednesday Russia was technically ready for nuclear war and that if the U.S. sent troops to Ukraine‚ it would be considered a significant escalation of the conflict. Putin‚ speaking just days before a March 15-17 election which is certain to give him another six years in power‚ said the nuclear war scenario was not "rushing" up and he saw no need for the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine. "From a military-technical point of view‚ we are...