Despite a recent rise in Moscow’s rhetoric, the US believes there is no chance of Russia using nuclear weapons, according to a senior US defense official.
“We continue to monitor their nuclear capabilities every day to the best of our ability, and we do not believe there is a threat of nuclear weapons use or a threat to NATO territory,” the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned the West not to underestimate the increased risks of nuclear war over Ukraine.
Russia announced earlier this month that it intends to deploy its recently tested Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles, which are capable of carrying out nuclear strikes against the US by autumn.
President Vladimir Putin launched Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 with a speech in which he specifically mentioned Moscow’s nuclear forces and warned that any attempt to obstruct Russia’s plans “would lead you to such repercussions that you have never met in your history.”
Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, indicated this week that he does not expect any more Russian military setbacks in Ukraine to force Putin to use tactical nuclear weapons there, claiming that Putin has leeway to maneuver and end the crisis.
CIA Director William Burns warned earlier this month that the prospect of Russia utilizing tactical or low-yield nuclear weapons in Ukraine should not be taken lightly, but that the CIA hasn’t seen much actual evidence to back up that concern.
Thousands have died or been injured as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has turned towns and cities to rubble and prompted over 5 million people to escape the country. Moscow refers to its demilitarization effort as a “special operation.”
