No ‘Imminent’ Threat Of Nuclear War, U.S. Says

Despite President Joe Biden’s recent warning of a nuclear 'armageddon,' there is no new U.S. intelligence suggesting imminent Russian plans to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Washington officials said on Friday, TURAN's U.S. correspondent reports.

"We have not seen any reason to adjust our own strategic nuclear posture, and nor do we have any indications that Russia is preparing to imminently use nuclear weapons," State Department's principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel told a daily press briefing.

"The President’s comments and our paying close attention of this is just indicative of how seriously we take this issue," Patel said in response to TURAN's questions.

Biden had warned on Thursday that there was no way for a limited “tactical” use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine not to spiral out of control.

The White House also on Friday painted the president's remarks as a statement about Putin’s irresponsible rhetoric, not an actual looming threat of nuclear war.

"We won't be intimidated by Putin's rhetoric. We have not seen any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture, nor do we have indications they are preparing to use them" White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. "But Putin can de-escalate this at any time, and there is no reason to escalate" she added.

If the Cuban Missile Crisis has taught us anything, "it is the value of reducing nuclear risk and not brandishing it,"  Jean-Pierre emphasized.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.