He may or may not be a loon, but even loons can be right sometimes. Bear in mind that the Russians and Turks have been blood enemies for centuries. In the depths of their Slavic souls the Russians would love to open up a can of nuclear fire on a few Turkish divisions. And the Turks are very uncomfortable with Russians on their southeast border in a de facto alliance with the Kurds. Plus there is a precedent for the Russians to mention the “N” word. Warning off an aggressor with the threat of tactical nukes if their tripwire forces are attacked was and is US policy in Korea and Europe.
Plus also the Russians have not forgotten the Turks who had overtaken the city that brought the Christian faith over to the Russians in the first place.