In response to intelligence that Russian President Vladimir Putin was considering using nuclear weapons against Ukraine last spring, the Biden administration is working with China, India and other countries to stop Putin from pushing the button. US Secretary of State Anthony Brinken said he had coordinated the dissuading message of opposition. Thursday.
Speaking to Atlantic Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, Brinken said that in the spring of 2022, the State Department would be concerned that Putin would act “irrationally” and that the Russian president would “promote the development of tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.” use”. The secretary said the impetus for Putin’s escalating consideration was the success of Ukraine’s counterattack.
Last year’s counterattack saw Ukraine Expel Russian forces from the key northern areas surrounding the capital Kiev pushed them eastward and forced them to regroup.
At that time, many foreign powers issued official statements and were worried about what Putin would do.
In April, Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has exercised “restraint” and said the world faces a “real” threat of nuclear war. “No one wants to see World War III break out,” warned Wenbin.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh met with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to warn against the use of nuclear weapons.
“The prospect of using nuclear or radiological weapons goes against the basic tenets of humanity, so the nuclear option should not be appealed by any side.” read An October statement by the Indian Ministry of Defense summarizing their conversation.
Brinken believes these moves are due to US influence efforts.
“We encouraged other countries like China, which might have a little more influence over Russia these days, but also other countries like India to get involved, and I think we succeeded. [Putin] They spoke directly about their absolute opposition to the use of nuclear weapons.
An intelligence report from Norway revealed that surface ships in Russia’s Northern Fleet may carry nuclear weapons, renewing fears that Russia may be crossing the line.
“The core of our nuclear capabilities are located in the Northern Fleet’s submarines and surface ships,” he said. reportRussia’s only aircraft carrier and flagship of the Northern Fleet departed From the dock early Wednesday morning. The ship had not been deployed since 2016.
Lithuanian intelligence services last year backed up Norway claims Russia has nuclear arsenals in the Baltic region.
Adding to the risk is the possibility of a second counterattack, an adviser to Ukraine’s Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko. Said Newsweek may take place in April. Soon, he will be armed with M1 Abrams and Leopard 2 tanks from various European donors, surface-to-air missiles from the United States, and armored infantry vehicles from both continents, and once the ammunition arrives, Ukrainian forces will attack. to start, said Gerashchenko.
Despite heightened tensions, the Biden administration remains committed to providing arms to Kiev.
Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told the Epoch Times on Wednesday, “We are supporting the Ukrainians in their war that Russia started, so let’s be clear about that.
“The administration has been committed to Ukraine all along and will continue to do so.”
and speech In Poland on Tuesday, President Joe Biden said, referring to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), that “Putin no longer doubts the strength of our coalition.” reaffirmed his administration’s willingness to provide
“Our support for Ukraine will not be renounced. NATO will not divide and will not tire.”