The United States has seen no indication that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine, the White House said today, reacting to statements by Vladimir Putin.
“We have seen no reason to adjust our own posture on the nuclear issue, nor any indication that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine,” the White House spokeswoman said. Karine Jean-Pierre was asked by reporters about the statements of the Russian president, who stressed that he is ready to develop nuclear weapons if Russia’s sovereignty is threatened.
According to the White House spokeswoman, Vladimir Putin appeared to be merely “reiterating Russia’s nuclear doctrine” during an interview on Russian television.
“However, Russia’s rhetoric on the nuclear issue has been careless and irresponsible” since the start of the war in Ukraine, he added, speaking from the presidential plane Air Force One accompanying President Joe Biden on his campaign trail in the northern United States.
“It was Russia that violently invaded Ukraine, without provocation or justification, and we will continue to support Ukraine in defending its people and territory against Russian aggression,” said Karin Jean-Pierre.
Vladimir Putin today praised Russia’s nuclear equipment, saying it is “more advanced” than that of the United States and assured that Russia’s arsenal is always “ready” for nuclear war.
“The whole nuclear element is more modern in our country,” he told Russian television as the start of Friday’s presidential election approaches, which, in the absence of any opposition, is expected to lead to his triumphant re-election.
The Russian president added that his country is “ready” for a nuclear conflict, but that he had never considered using such weapons in Ukraine. “Why should we use means of mass destruction? There has never been such a need,” he assured, underlining that Russian military doctrine provides for the use of the last weapon if Russia’s existence is threatened or in the event of “an attack on our sovereignty and independence.”
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