“We don’t see any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture,” the White House official said.
Washington:
The White House said on Wednesday there was no indication Moscow was preparing to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, after Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was prepared to deploy nuclear weapons if his country’s sovereignty was threatened.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Russia’s rhetoric on nuclear weapons has been “reckless” since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Asked about Putin’s comments, Jean-Pierre said: “We do not see any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture, nor do we see any indication that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.”
Jean-Pierre told reporters traveling to Milwaukee for a campaign event with Biden that Putin appeared to be “reiterating Russia’s nuclear doctrine” after being asked about the use of the weapons in the interview.
“Nonetheless, Russia’s nuclear rhetoric throughout the conflict has been reckless and irresponsible,” she added.
“It was Russia that brutally invaded Ukraine without provocation or justification, and we will continue to support Ukraine in defending its people and territory against Russian aggression.”
Putin on Wednesday praised Moscow’s nuclear arsenal and warned he was prepared to deploy the weapons if Russia’s sovereignty was threatened.
The Kremlin has touted its nuclear power during its two-year offensive against Ukraine. Putin’s latest comments came just days before Russia’s election, which looks set to keep him in power for another six years.
Biden on Tuesday announced an emergency weapons program worth $300 million to support Ukraine, following recent advances by Russia, while Congress blocked further aid.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
