The problem is that it seems likely that Putin (and Soviet nuclear policy before him) sees use of nuclear weapons as "just another war tactic." Thier view of the use of nuclear weapons is different from ours, and we need to talk about it in that manner because they talk about it in that manner.

It doesn't help, of course, that we are starting to see a trend in that direction in Western nuclear policy as well, as our ICBMs are equipped with even smaller, lower-yield weapons than earlier generations.

I think it's possible, though not likely, to limit reaction to a nuclear strike. I know that may be wishful thinking. I think a first move would be made by the Russians, whether due to Putin's irrationality in the face of defeat in Ukraine, or due to a megalomaniacal desire to bring the rest of the world down with him in defeat. We can only hope cooler heads in the Kremlin prevail in the end.