The US sees no need to change its nuclear stance in response to “irresponsible” Russian rhetoric
The White House sees no need to change its own nuclear doctrine, officials say, after Vladimir Putin formally lowered the threshold for Russia’s use of nuclear weapons.
A US National Security Council official told Reuters they were not surprised by Putin’s decision.
As such, the Biden administration has seen “no reason to adjust our own nuclear posture or doctrine in response to today’s Russian statements.”
Still, the official said the White House criticized Putin’s “irresponsible rhetoric” after he decided to theoretically allow a potential nuclear response to a conventional attack on Russia by any country backed by a nuclear power.
Similar comments were made by the European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell.
“It is not the first time they have threatened nuclear escalation, which is completely irresponsible,” he said.
“Russia has subscribed to the principle that a nuclear war cannot be won and should therefore never be fought.”