The Biden administration is very “concerned” that Russia may escalate its invasion of Ukraine and use nuclear weapons, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Sunday. ..
Sullivan said in an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on the “State of the Union” that the United States is closely monitoring Russia’s movements, but authorities still see what needs to change its “nuclear posture.” Said he didn’t.
“We are watching this very carefully, and obviously the risk of nuclear expansion is serious, which is a different kind of conflict than any other conflict that Americans have seen over the years,” Sullivan said. rice field.
“And US President Joe Biden must take responsibility very seriously, even if we double our efforts to support Ukrainians. In today’s situation, The United States is not coordinating our nuclear posture, but because it is a top priority for the President, we monitor it daily and hourly. “
When asked if the Biden administration was “concerned” about the situation, Sullivan said: , Risk of escalation. “
But Sullivan once again doubled his previous comment, “I haven’t seen anything that needs to change nuclear posture at this time.”
Within days of the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced “hostile action” and statements from Western nations and NATO, and ordered nuclear forces to be more vigilant.
“Western countries are not only behaving unfriendly to us in the economic arena. I am talking about illegal sanctions that everyone is familiar with. But also high-ranking officials from major NATO countries. He also makes positive statements to Japan. “
As a result, President Putin said, “I ordered the Defense Minister and the Chief of the General Staff.” [of the Russian armed forces] This is to transfer the deterrence of the Russian army to a special combat mode. “
Deterrence includes the command of Russia’s vast nuclear weapons, but it is unclear what the “special combat mode” refers to.
Putin’s orders mean that Russia’s nuclear weapons are preparing for increased potential for launch, increasing the likelihood that Western nations will be subject to nuclear strikes if they are too involved in the Ukrainian conflict.
The president’s actions elicited swift criticism from Western officials, including NATO Secretary-General Jason Stoltenberg, who said Putin’s orders “increased the severity of the situation.”
However, on March 9, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Putin’s threat of using nuclear weapons in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia a “bluff.”
“I think the threat of nuclear war is bluffing. Being a murderer is one thing. Suicide is another,” Zelensky told a German newspaper. Die Zeit.. “Every time we use nuclear weapons, not only those who use them, but all sides will come to an end. Rather, Putin’s threat shows a weakness. Other threats to the use of nuclear weapons. Only when nothing is working. I am confident that Russia is aware of the devastating consequences of its attempts to use nuclear weapons. “
On March 13, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators said talks had proceeded between the two sides on the possibility of ending the conflict.
The Kyiv government “continues to demand the end and withdrawal of the war [Russian] Zelensky’s adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, wrote on Twitter, adding that Ukraine believes that “literally, some results will be achieved in a few days.”
Meanwhile, Leonid Slutsky, a member of the Russian delegation and chairman of the House’s International Affairs Committee, was reported by state media RIA Novosti to say that there had been “significant progress” in the parley.
Both sides appear optimistic about the possibility of ending the conflict over two weeks, but no further details are provided.
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Katabella Roberts is a reporter currently based in Turkey. She focuses primarily on the United States and covers the news and business of The Epoch Times.