Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of a growing threat of nuclear war as the United States and European nations continue their military support for Ukraine.

Putin made the comment in an online meeting with members of his advisory council on Wednesday. He was responding to a participant who said a significant number of people in Russia are concerned that the threat of a world nuclear war now seems real.

The president said such a threat is growing. In an apparent warning to the Western nations, he added that many American nuclear weapons are in European territory.

He said Russia is fully aware of what nuclear weapons are. He also said they are not for provoking expansion of conflicts, but for deterrence.

The Institute for the Study of War, a US think tank, called Putin's statements part of an information operation meant to undermine Western support for Ukraine.

When Putin referred during the meeting to what he calls the special military operation in Ukraine, he said it will be a lengthy process.

As for Russia's annexation of four Ukrainian regions, Putin said new territories appeared and that is a significant result for his country.

He added that even Peter the Great fought for access to the Sea of Azov.

The Institute for the Study of War said this invocation of Russian imperial history frames Putin's current goals in Ukraine as "overtly imperialistic."

The think tank added that his administration is unlikely to agree to hold ceasefire talks, saying "Putin seems unwilling to risk losing domestic momentum by halting his offensive operations even briefly."