Earlier, Vladimir Putin warned that he would use nuclear weapons to defend Russian territory
Astana:
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that any direct contact or direct clash by NATO troops with the Russian army would result in a “global catastrophe”.
At the press conference in Kazakhstan’s capital Astana, Putin said: “In any case, the direct contact, the direct clash of (NATO) troops with the Russian army is a very dangerous move that could lead to a global catastrophe. I hope those who are about to say so are smart enough not to take such a step.”
Earlier, Putin warned he would use nuclear weapons to defend Russian territory after he annexed four regions of Ukraine last month, a move the UN condemned this week.
On Tuesday, the Group of Seven (G7) nations warned that the use of nuclear weapons on Ukraine will have serious consequences, according to a statement released by the White House.
Leaders of the G7 (Britain, Germany, Italy, Canada, the United States, France and Japan) said: “We deplore the deliberate Russian escalator moves, including the partial mobilization of reservists and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric, which undermine world peace and… compromise security. We reiterate that any use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by Russia would have serious consequences.”
Earlier in a speech on Thursday, US President Joe Biden spoke of nuclear “Armageddon” in a warning about the escalation of the Russian war in Ukraine.
Biden warned of the “attack” on American institutions and spoke of the threat posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin with nuclear weapons at the New York home of James Murdoch, son of media baron Rupert Murdoch.
“We haven’t faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis,” Biden said in New York City.
At a fundraiser for the Democratic Senators’ campaign committee, Biden said Putin “is not joking when he talks about the use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons.” This is because, Biden said, “his military is — you could say — well below average.”
“I’m trying to find out what Putin’s exit is?” said Biden. “Where does he find a way out? Where does he find himself in a position where he not only loses face but also significant power within Russia?”
According to a Pool report, Biden told attendees at the event, “I don’t think there’s such a thing as the ability to just use a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon.”
Putin renewed his nuclear threats when he announced the annexation of Ukrainian territories, some not controlled by Russia, and the call-up of 300,000 reservists to bolster his flagging invasion.
(Except for the headline, this story was not edited by NDTV staff and was published by a syndicated feed.)