|
In response to
"Zelensky urges allies to step up pressure on Putin amid ‘nuclear blackmail.’"
by
crash davis
|
The U.S. says it has warned Russia of ‘catastrophic consequences’ if it uses nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
|
Biden administration officials have warned Russian officials in private conversations of “catastrophic consequences” if Moscow uses nuclear weapons in its invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. national security adviser said on Sunday.
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia said on Wednesday that he could use all arms available to him in the war — remarks interpreted by officials in both Russia and the West as a veiled threat about the use of nuclear weapons.
Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, said in televised interviews on Sunday that the United States has detailed its potential response to the use of nuclear weapons to Russian officials, though he declined to make those details public.
Appearing on ABC’s “This Week,” Mr. Sullivan said the administration is taking Mr. Putin’s nuclear threats seriously — preparing for “every contingency” in the conflict and working to deter Russia from using nuclear weapons.
“We have communicated directly, privately, at very high levels to the Russians, that there will be catastrophic consequences if they use nuclear weapons in Ukraine,” Mr. Sullivan said.
On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Mr. Sullivan said American and Russian officials have spoken frankly and repeatedly, including in recent days, about specific steps the administration would take if nuclear weapons were deployed.
“We do have the capacity to speak directly at senior levels and be clear about our messages to them,” he said, adding: “Russia understands very well what the United States would do in response to nuclear weapons use in Ukraine, because we have spelled it out for them.”
Also on NBC, Mr. Sullivan said there would be new announcements within the coming days of new economic sanctions from the Group of 7 nations against Russia — including on Russian entities operating in other countries — in response to Moscow's “sham” referendums in portions of Ukraine it is occupying.
— Jim Tankersley
|
Responses:
|