The United States announced that it had seen no signs that Russia was preparing to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine. According to the American spokesperson, Vladimir Putin seems to have only “reiterated Russia’s nuclear doctrine” during an interview on Russian television.
The United States has seen no sign that Russia was preparing to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine, the White House assured Wednesday, in reaction to remarks by Vladimir Putin. “We saw no reason to adjust our own nuclear posture, nor any sign that Russia was preparing to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said. She was questioned by journalists about the Russian president’s remarks, who said he was ready to deploy nuclear weapons if Russia’s sovereignty was threatened.
According to the American spokesperson, Vladimir Putin seems to have only “reiterated Russia’s nuclear doctrine” during an interview on Russian television. “Nevertheless, Russia’s rhetoric on the nuclear subject has been reckless and irresponsible” since the start of the war in Ukraine, she added aboard Air Force One for a Joe Biden campaign trip to the northern United States. “It was Russia that brutally invaded Ukraine, without provocation or justification, and we will continue to support Ukraine in the defense of its people and its territory in the face of Russian aggression,” said Karine Jean- Rock.
An arsenal was always “ready” for nuclear war
Vladimir Putin praised Russia’s nuclear armament on Wednesday, deeming it “more advanced” than that of the United States and assuring that its arsenal was always “ready” for a nuclear war. “The entire nuclear component is more modern here,” he said on Russian television, as the start, Friday, of the presidential election approached, which in the absence of any opposition should see his triumphant re-election . The Russian president added that his country was “ready” for a nuclear conflict, but that he had never thought of using such weapons in Ukraine.
“Why should we use means of mass destruction? There has never been such a necessity,” he assured, stressing that Russian military doctrine provided for the use of the ultimate weapon if the existence of Russia was threatened or in the event of “an attack on our sovereignty and independence”.