Biden Asserts Putin’s Threats Risk Nuclear Armageddon
President Joe Biden speaks at the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters on Sept. 21, 2022. He promised a “consequential” response if Russia uses nuclear weapons. Photo: AP Newsroom
President Joe Biden warned of the risk of nuclear armageddon during an Oct. 6 Democratic fundraiser in New York in light of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threats to utilize nuclear weapons as Russia loses ground in its invasion of Ukraine.
“We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis,” Biden stated, recalling when the United States and the then-Soviet Union nearly engaged in nuclear conflict almost 60 years ago. “I don’t think there’s any such thing as the ability to easily use a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon.”
Biden’s direct statement marks the first time the president has ever been extremely vocal about Putin’s volatile remarks. Biden claimed that he knew the Russian leader “very well,” stating that Putin is “not joking when he talks about the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons, because his military is, you might say, significantly underperforming.”
Since September, Putin routinely hinted at using some of Russia’s 1,900 tactical nuclear warheads to keep hold of Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine. In an announcement to enlist Russian men to serve in Ukraine, Putin stated, “I want to remind you that our country also has various means of destruction, and when the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, to protect Russia and our people, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal.” Putin further added confirmation that he was not bluffing.
Ukrainian soldiers driving in recently retaken areas in Ukraine after successfully forcing Russian troops to retreat on Oct. 4, 2022. Photo: AP Newsroom
Foreign affairs experts cite Putin’s threats as a result of the humiliating defeats his army endured. As Ukrainian troops regained footing within the Donbas region, thousands of Russian men retreated or defected from the front lines, leaving the Russian leader with an increasingly narrow space to maneuver.
Despite Biden’s claims, US security officials at the Pentagon say they have no existing evidence that Putin is planning any nuclear missile strikes. Though the Democratic fundraiser Biden spoke at was private , critics of the President’s statement stressed that his strong choice of words could unintentionally escalate nuclear tensions and possibly embolden Putin further.
Biden’s administration commented that the president’s overall message likely was to not underestimate the grave danger Putin could invoke if he decides to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on Ukraine. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan revealed that the US, in private talks with Russian diplomats, “spelled out” how America and the world would react to a nuclear response.
“Russia’s talk of using nuclear weapons is irresponsible and there’s no way to use them without unintended consequences. It cannot happen.” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated on Friday, Oct. 7. “If the Cuban missile crisis has taught us anything, it is the value of reducing nuclear risk and not brandishing it.”