The United States “for months” has been “increasingly concerned” about the possibility of a potential nuclear attack by Russia in the context of the war in Ukraine, a White House adviser said on Wednesday, according to AFP.

“We’re monitoring it as best we can,” said John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council.

He was asked about a New York Times article that said senior Russian military officials had recently discussed when and how to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

The White House, however, said that it has no signs of specific preparations by Russia in this direction.

Joe Biden recently estimated that for the first time since the Cold War, the world is facing the risk of “Armageddon,” that is, a “nuclear apocalypse.”

The Russian military leadership is discussing when and how Moscow will use tactical nuclear weapons

Russian military leaders have recently engaged in a debate, not including Vladimir Putin, about when and how Moscow might use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Information about these discussions was shared in the US administration in mid-October.

CIA Director William J. Burns, however, said that Putin’s “potential desperation” to achieve victory in Ukraine and failures in the war could compel Russia to use such weapons of mass destruction.

Russia says the West must stop “encouraging provocations” to avoid nuclear catastrophe

Russia said on Wednesday that avoiding a nuclear confrontation between the world’s nuclear powers was its top priority, but accused the West of “encouraging provocations with weapons of mass destruction”, Reuters reported.

Western capitals have said Moscow is behind the escalation of nuclear rhetoric since Russia invaded Ukraine in February – most recently repeatedly accusing Kyiv of plans to use a “dirty bomb” without providing evidence. Kyiv denies the existence of such a plan.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has expressed concern that the five nuclear powers are teetering “on the brink of direct armed conflict” and that the West must stop “encouraging provocations with the use of weapons of mass destruction that could lead to catastrophic consequences.”

“We firmly believe that in the current situation, which is complex and turbulent, caused by irresponsible and brazen actions aimed at undermining our national security, the most urgent task is to avoid any military confrontation between nuclear powers,” the ministry said in a statement. .

Moscow said it supported a joint statement with the United States, China, Britain and France issued in January reaffirming their shared responsibility to avoid nuclear war.

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