Russia says ‘highest priority' is avoiding military clash between nuclear powers
-
Loading... - Alejandro Diaz
- 03 Nov 2022
- 74 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Russia has said preventing a military clash between nuclear powers is its “highest priority” and — despite recently making nuclear threats — called on other countries with such weapons to reaffirm their commitment to avoiding an atomic war.
The foreign ministry said on Wednesday that Russia “fully reaffirmed” its commitment to preventing nuclear war and avoiding an arms race under a joint statement signed with the US, UK, France and China in January.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has repeatedly made veiled threats to use nuclear weapons as his eight-month invasion of Ukraine falters, as part of a strategy that western officials have said was designed to deter western military aid to Kyiv.
The rhetoric has alarmed western powers, particularly after Russia made baseless claims last week that Ukraine was developing a “dirty bomb” — a conventional weapon laced with radioactive material.
Putin repeated the warnings but then said there was “no military or political sense” in Russia using a nuclear weapon against Ukraine.
Russia’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday: “We are firmly convinced that in the current difficult, turbulent situation, which is the consequence of irresponsible and impudent actions aimed at undermining our national security, preventing any military clash between nuclear powers is the highest priority.”
Putin’s message comes as US officials say they believe a series of high-level conversations between American and Russian defence officials have helped to calm tensions somewhat.
“There’s a temporary feeling of reassurance,” one US official said.
Last month US officials saw worrying signs in intelligence monitoring Russia’s possible nuclear use, but said that the information they picked up did not suggest Moscow was making any preparations to use a nuclear weapon. Read More...
