Biden: threat of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons "real"

The strongest statement yet from a global power about the risk of nuclear war was made by Joe Biden, days after Russia deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. 

US President Joe Biden meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

PAP/JIM LO SCALZO

Statements by the USA have until now sought to reassure the world of the unlikelihood of nuclear escalation.

However, in March 2023 when Russia announced that it was deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, NATO called the move "dangerous and irresponsible".

On Saturday, Biden echoed those words on the occasion of the first deployment, calling the deployment "absolutely irresponsible".

President Joe Biden said the threat of Russian President Vladimir Putin using tactical nuclear weapons is 'real,’ days after denouncing Russia's deployment of such weapons in Belarus https://t.co/dyR14eQPu9

— Reuters (@Reuters) June 20, 2023

Strategically the moving of the warheads is significant as the first such transport since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Sources: PAP, Reuters

pt