The United States takes “seriously” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s veiled “irresponsible” threat to use nuclear weapons in the guerra in Ukraine, a senior US official said on Wednesday, announcing “serious consequences” if it moves in that direction.
“It is irresponsible rhetoric for a nuclear power to speak in such a way. But it is not atypical for how he has been speaking in the last seven months and we take it very seriously, “he said. John Kirbyspokesman for the White House National Security Council, following Putin said he would use “all available means” to protect Russian territory.
“We are monitoring their strategic posture as best we can so that we can modify ours if necessary. We haven’t seen any indication that that’s necessary at this time,” Kirby told ABC.
When asked what Washington’s response would be, the official reiterated what President Joe Biden had said.
“There will be serious consequences. Not only will it be more and more a pariah on the world stage, but there will have to be serious consequences from the international community,” he noted.
Kirby described Putin’s order to mobilize some 300,000 reservists from across Russia as a sign of weakness.
“It’s definitely a sign that it’s running into difficulties,” Kirby said, emphasizing the “tens of thousands of casualties” and “defection problems” in Russian ranks.
He noted that the “fake” referendums on annexation to Russia being prepared in areas of Ukraine invaded by Russian forces will not change US policy.
“That is Ukrainian territory. It doesn’t matter what fake referendums they do,” Kirby said. “We will continue to support Ukraine with security assistance and other financial aid, as the president said, for as long as it takes.”
