The United States is “closely” monitoring Russia’s actions at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant amid concerns that President Vladimir Putin could escalate the war he has unleashed in Ukraine, and is “considering carefully” its response to any possible use of nuclear weapons by Russia – CNN reported John Kirby, White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator.

“We are watching as closely as we can. And we haven’t seen anything that would cause us to change our strategic posture of containment. So we take these threats seriously,” John Kirby told CNN, adding that there was no indication that Putin had moved to prepare a nuclear attack.

Kirby suggested that the United States had taken steps to prepare a response in the event of Russia’s use of nuclear weapons.

“This is irresponsible rhetoric coming from a modern nuclear power, so of course we’ve taken a good look at how we can ensure that our national security interests and the interests of our NATO allies are protected,” he said.

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