This is the first time since the Cuban missile crisis at the height of the Cold War, Joe Biden said.
“We haven’t faced the prospect of an apocalypse since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis” in 1962, he said, at a New York City fundraiser, where he said he knew his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin “relatively well” and that he “wasn’t joking” when he threatened.
“He is not kidding when he talks about the potential use of tactical nuclear, biological or chemical weapons. This is because his army is, one might say, inefficient and unsatisfactory.”.
US officials have been warning for months about the possibility of Russian weapons of mass destruction in Ukraine following a string of strategic setbacks on the battlefield.
But just this week, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said he sees no change in Russian nuclear forces that would require a change in US nuclear alert.
“We see no reason to adjust our own strategic nuclear posture, and we have no indication that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons anytime soon.“White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
This Thursday, Biden said he was still “trying to find” Putin’s “ramp of convention” in Ukraine.
“Where will he find a way out? (…) How does he find himself in a position where he not only loses face, but also loses significant power inside Russia?Biden asked.Ideas expressed by Putin
Putin has repeatedly hinted at the use of a huge nuclear arsenal, including last month when he announced plans for a partial deployment.
“I want to remind you that our country also has various means of destruction (…) and when the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will definitely use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people,” he said. Putin 21 September, adding, with a lingering look at the camera, “It’s not a ‘bluff.’“.
As early as last week, Sullivan acknowledged that the United States had “clearly” explained to Russia the “consequences” of the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Putin understands that “the world will never forgive” a Russian nuclear strike.
“He understands that after the use of nuclear weapons, he will no longer be able to save, so to speak, his life, and I am sure of this.”he said.
with agencies
