Vladimir Putin warned by the US against using nuclear weapons, Kremlin responds

On Thursday, Sep. 15 in an interview for 60 Minutes on CBS, U.S. President Biden was asked what would be the U.S.’s response if Vladimir Putin would use chemical or tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine. Biden issued a stern warning to Putin.

A response by the U.S. would be 'consequential'

Biden’s message resonated as if he was talking directly to Putin, saying ‘don’t, don’t, don’t, you will change the face of war unlike anything since World War II.’ Pressed on what the response would actually be, Biden, added that it would have to be evaluated depending on what Russians do but the response would be 'consequential.'

Kremlin points to Nuclear Doctrine

According to Newsweek, in response to the U.S. President’s comments, Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Preskov told reporters on Saturday, Sep. 17 that they should read the ‘Nuclear Doctrine’.

Russia's nuclear doctrinedetermines clearly the special circumstances under which the country’s leadership shall revert to the use of nuclear weapons. The use might follow any aggression against Russia or its ally with the use of 'weapons of mass destruction' or if the country faced aggression with which the 'very existence of the state is under threat.'

During the summer, The Associated Pressreported that Russia moved aircraft equipped with supersonic missiles able to carry nuclear warheads as well to its westernmost military base in Kalinigrad with the objective of increasing strategic deterrence.

Back in August, Euractivand other media citedRussia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who said that Russia would not utilize nuclear weapons in Ukraine, only 'conventional' ones.

Sources used:

- CBS: ‘60 MINUTES OVERTIME President Biden warns Vladimir Putin not to use nuclear weapons: "Don't. Don't. Don't."’

- Newsweek: ‘Russia Responds to Biden's Warning to Putin Not to Use Nuclear Weapons’

- Rusi: ‘Russia’s nonstrategic nuclear weapons are designed to achieve deterrence and military success against a technologically superior opponent. They are unlikely to be deployed in Ukraine.’

- Euractiv: ‘Lavrov says Russia will not hit Ukraine with nukes’

- Associated Press: ‘Russia deploys hypersonic missiles to its Baltic exclave’

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