US to Russia: nuke Ukraine, face catastrophic consequences
The United States says it has privately warned Russia of ‘catastrophic’ consequences if it goes nuclear in Vladimir Putin’s war with Ukraine.
The warning comes after President Putin made a thinly veiled threat to use nukes in a speech last Wednesday, when he announced the mobilisation of 300,000 reservists following major Ukrainian gains.
“We have been very clear with the Russians publicly, and, as well as privately, to stop the loose talk about nuclear weapons.
“It’s very important that Moscow hear from us and know from us that the consequences would be horrific. And we’ve made that very clear.
“Any use of nuclear weapons would have catastrophic effects for, of course, the country using them, but for many others as well,” Anthony Blinken, US secretary of state said.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Putin’s veiled nuclear threat ‘could be a reality’.
He branded Russian military activity at nuclear power plants in Ukraine are ‘the first steps of his nuclear blackmail.’
‘He (Putin) wants to scare the whole world.
“I don’t think he’s bluffing. I think the world is deterring it and containing this threat. We need to keep putting pressure on him and not allow him to continue.’
“Any use of nuclear weapons would have catastrophic effects for, of course, the country using them, but for many others as well,” he said.
METRO
