The US government has again warned Russia in no uncertain terms against the use of nuclear weapons. The consequences would be “extraordinary” and “real,” US State Department spokesman Ned Price told CNN. This was also made very clear to Moscow. “We didn’t give the Russians a shadow of a doubt,” Price said. The US government means business. Price declined to say exactly what those consequences would be.
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the mobilization of 300,000 reservists for the war of aggression against Ukraine – he also said: “If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will definitely use all available means to protect Russia and our people . This is not a bluff.” Observers saw it as a threat to use nuclear weapons. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had already spoken of “catastrophic” consequences at the weekend.
Ex-Kremlin boss legitimizes use of nuclear weapons
In the face of the sharp US warnings to Moscow, former Kremlin boss Dmitry Medvedev has again emphasized Russia’s right to use nuclear weapons – “if that should be necessary”. This applies in “specified cases” and in “strict accordance with the principles of state policy on nuclear deterrence,” wrote the deputy chief of the Russian Security Council in his Telegram channel.
Medvedev mentioned the following prerequisites for the possibility of a Russian nuclear strike: “If we or our allies are attacked with such weapons. Or if aggression with conventional weapons threatens the existence of our state.” President Vladimir Putin recently made that clear.
Russia will do everything to prevent “enemy neighbors” like Ukraine, “which is directly controlled by the NATO states,” from acquiring nuclear weapons, Medvedev wrote. “When the threat to Russia exceeds a set danger level, we have to respond,” he said. “Without asking anyone for permission, without lengthy consultations. And that’s certainly not a bluff.”
However, he does not assume that NATO will interfere in such a scenario in the conflict, Medvedev continued. “After all, the security of Washington, London and Brussels is far more important to the North Atlantic Alliance than the fate of a dying Ukraine that nobody needs.” The delivery of modern weapons is “pure business” for western countries.
