The US presidency yesterday ruled out the hypothesis that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine, following Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that his country would use nuclear weapons if threatened.
“We see no reason to adjust our own nuclear posture, nor any sign that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine,” said White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre.
The advisor had been questioned by journalists regarding statements by the Russian President who said he was ready to deploy nuclear weapons if Russia’s sovereignty was threatened.
For Karine Jean-Pierre, the Kremlin leader (presidency) only appears to have “reiterated Russia’s nuclear doctrine” during an interview.
“However, Russia’s rhetoric on the nuclear issue has been reckless and irresponsible” since the start of the war in Ukraine, he added.
On Russian state television, Vladimir Putin said he hoped the United States would avoid any escalation that might trigger a nuclear war, but stressed that Russia’s nuclear forces were ready.
Asked if he ever considered using nuclear weapons on the front in Ukraine, the Russian leader replied that there was no need. Putin also expressed confidence that Moscow would achieve its goals in Ukraine, but said he was open to negotiations, adding that any agreement would require firm guarantees from the West.
The Russian head of state has repeatedly described the Ukrainian government, led by Volodymyr Zelensky, as “a group of drug addicts and neo-Nazis”.
In the same interview, the President of Russia accused Ukraine of launching attacks on Russian soil in an attempt to interfere in the presidential elections scheduled for March 15th and 17th.
Several Russian regions, such as Belgorod and Kursk, on the border with Ukraine, were the target of multiple attacks by Ukrainian drones (unmanned aerial devices) for the second day in a row, targeting energy infrastructures.
Vladimir Putin, in power for more than two decades and running for re-election, is the favorite in the presidential elections, in the absence of any opposition.
The election is expected to keep Vladimir Putin in power until 2030, the year in which he will turn 77, with the possibility of an additional term until 2036, thanks to a constitutional change made in 2020.
