Sullivan: Moscow warned about the consequences of the use of nuclear weapons
The United States warned Russia of the catastrophic consequences that would arise if Moscow uses nuclear weapons, Washington promises to respond if this happens, said US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
Sullivan said senior officials in the US had notified their Russian counterparts over a private line. According to him, contacts between the leadership of the two countries continue.
In an interview with CBS, a Joe Biden aide also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin "is not the first time he has made nuclear threats in this conflict." According to him, this will not deter Washington from providing military assistance to Ukraine.
"We keep [конфиденциальность] these conversations with the Russian side, but they understand what they will face if they continue to move along this dark path,” said Sullivan (TASS quote).
On September 21, Vladimir Putin addressed the citizens of Russia, as well as residents of Donbass and Russian-controlled territories in Ukraine. In particular, he announced Moscow's support for referendums in these regions and the beginning of partial mobilization in Russia. The President pointed to the aggressive policy of Western countries, noting that "nuclear blackmail has been used." Putin also stressed that "the wind rose can turn in their direction."
The US President then said that Moscow had disregarded the UN Charter and declared "nuclear threats against Europe" contrary to nonproliferation obligations. The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, reacted to the words of the American president. She accused Biden of falsely quoting Putin. Russia does not threaten other countries with the use of nuclear weapons, but warns against interfering in a special operation, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on September 23.