In an interview with NewsNation on Friday night, US President Joe Biden says he is skeptical of Vladimir Putin’s claims that Russia is not considering proactive use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
– If he doesn’t intend to, why does he keep talking about it? Why are you talking about the ability to use tactical nuclear weapons? says Biden in the second interview Reutersadding:
– It was very dangerous in the way he approached this, he says.
Deny the nuclear plans
It was during his annual speech at the so-called Valdaj discussion club on Thursday that Putin denied that Russia had any plans to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, saying it was neither logical nor militarily nor politically.
– We never said anything about Russia considering the proactive use of nuclear weapons. We only hinted at in response to statements from Western leaders, he said she.
Putin then referred to statements by British Prime Minister Liz Truss, who recently resigned.
– He said that Britain is a nuclear power and that the Prime Minister has a mandate to use them. And she said she was ready to do it, which no one replied to, she said.
– Dangerous, bloody and dirty game
No sign
On Monday, the White House said there is no indication that Russia intends to use nuclear weapons or a dirty bomb in Ukraine.
– We still see nothing to indicate preparations for the use of nuclear weapons by the Russian side, nor anything in terms of the possible use of a dirty bomb, said National Security Council communications chief of President Joe Biden, John Kirby .
– We have seen on a few occasions in the past that Russia has accused others of things they themselves intend to do, Kirby warned, but added that there is no evidence that this is now the case.
– But it’s a game we’ve seen before, he says.