US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken discusses Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during a press conference at the State Department in Washington, DC, March 2, 2022.
Elizabeth Franz Reuters
WASHINGTON – Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric over Moscow’s nuclear stance and warned of potential miscalculations.
“Provocative rhetoric about nuclear weapons is the pinnacle of irresponsibility,” Blinken told reporters at the State Department.
“This is dangerous and increases the risk of miscalculations,” the nation’s top diplomat said, adding that the United States had not taken steps to change its own nuclear stance.
Of the combined global stockpiles of nuclear weapons, the United States and Russia have the lion’s share of approximately 4,000 warheads each.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby echoed similar sentiments later Wednesday, calling Putin’s rhetoric “unacceptable.”
“Such provocative rhetoric and possible changes in the nuclear position, including the most consistent weapons in our respective arsenals, is unacceptable,” Kirby said.
Kirby also said that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had postponed the planned launch of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile this week to “demonstrate that we are a responsible nuclear power.”
“This is not a step backwards in our readiness, nor does it mean that we will necessarily cancel other routine activities to ensure reliable nuclear capacity,” Kirby said, adding that the United States remains confident in its current strategic position.
Over the weekend, Putin put his country’s nuclear forces on high alert amid tensions with the West over the invasion of Ukraine. Speaking at a meeting Sunday with senior defense officials, Putin cited “aggressive statements” made against Russia by NATO as the reason for ordering the uprising.
Last week, a senior Biden administration official called Putin’s mention of nuclear deterrence “escalating and completely unnecessary.”
“At every step in this conflict, Putin is making threats to justify more aggressive action,” the official told NBC News. “He has never been threatened by Ukraine or NATO, which is a defense alliance that will not fight in Ukraine.