In Washington, they believe that Russia’s nuclear saber-rattling does not demonstrate the Kremlin’s strength. On the contrary, the US states that such threats indicate Russia’s problems in the war against a significantly smaller Ukraine.
Russian nuclear weapons
Russian threats to use nuclear weapons during the war against Ukraine are a sign of weakness, not Kremlin strength.
This was stated by the head of the US National Nuclear Security Administration, Brandon Williams, Axios reports.
Speaking at the Hudson Institute in Washington, Williams said that Russia’s nuclear saber-rattling indicates Moscow’s insecurity in its own conventional forces.
According to him, such threats demonstrate a “lack of conviction and confidence” in the Russian army in the war against a “much, much, much smaller” Ukraine.
Williams emphasized that Russia’s nuclear statements do not frighten NATO and neighboring countries.
Axios notes that the statement was made against the backdrop of the formation of a new nuclear paradigm in the world. Great Britain and France are discussing the future of their nuclear arsenals and their range of use, Poland is urging the US to deploy part of its nuclear weapons on its territory, and the term of the new START arms control treaty has already expired.
Russia and the US together possess approximately 85% of the world’s nuclear warheads. At the same time, China is increasing its nuclear potential at an unprecedented rate.
“Deterrence is not quite what it was during the Cold War. But it starts with our nuclear arsenal,” Williams said.
The US is currently reviewing all elements of its nuclear triad. According to estimates by the Congressional Budget Office, the combined nuclear plans of the US Departments of Defense and Energy for 2025-2034 are estimated at $946 billion.
Earlier it was reported that Russia may soon face the deployment of NATO’s nuclear arsenal directly near its northern borders. Finnish parliamentarians made a historic decision, voting to repeal the long-standing ban on the presence of weapons of mass destruction on the territory of the state.
By the way, NATO partners discussed an accelerated drone procurement program to strengthen the Alliance’s eastern flank against the Russian threat. In particular, European leaders want to purchase drones for aerial patrol.
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