Russia has been threatening nuclear war to influence Western policy for a long time.

Battle of Grozny (1999–2000). When Russia leveled the city of Grozny in the war for Chechen secession (>ahem<), Washington criticized the complete disregard for civilian life. The Kremlin responded by threatening nuclear war. Russia expecting you to do everything when they say "nuclear war", is similar in some ways to how SJWs expect you to do everything when they say "racist". Both are the cries of petulant children who refuse to reform.