Can Russia's war in Ukraine end without the use of nuclear weapons?

 Russia's war in Ukraine can indeed end without the use of nuclear weapons. Despite repeated nuclear threats from Russia, there are significant disincentives for them to use such weapons. For instance, other nuclear powers like China and India have been putting pressure on Russia to refrain from using nuclear weapons ¹. China has even publicly humiliated Russia by forcing Putin to agree that "nuclear war cannot be won and must not be fought" ¹.

Additionally, the United States has made it clear that if Russia were to use a nuclear weapon against Ukraine, the response would be conventional and overwhelming ¹. This deterrent, combined with the fear of sparking a major chain-reaction of nuclear proliferation, makes it unlikely for Russia to use nuclear weapons.

It's also worth noting that the consequences of a nuclear war would be catastrophic, with estimates suggesting 91.5 million casualties in the first few hours alone ². The long-term effects would be equally devastating, with radioactive fallout and global cooling putting billions at risk of starvation and severe food insecurity.

*Key factors preventing nuclear escalation:*

- _International pressure_: China and India's efforts to deter Russia from using nuclear weapons ¹

- _Conventional deterrents_: The US's promise of overwhelming conventional response ¹

- _Fear of nuclear proliferation_: Russia's awareness of the devastating consequences of sparking a nuclear arms race ¹

- _Global consequences_: The catastrophic effects of a nuclear war on human life and the environment ²

Overall, while the situation remains tense, there are strong reasons to believe that Russia's war in Ukraine can end without the use of nuclear weapons.