The White House confirmed on Thursday the existence of a threat to the national security of the United States related to an anti-satellite weapon from Russia, which was first mentioned by senior American officials on Wednesday.
• Also read: Nuclear weapons in space: Moscow considers allegations in the American press to be “unfounded”
“I can confirm that this is related to an anti-satellite capability developed by Russia,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said, adding that it was, however, “not an anti-satellite capability.” “An imminent threat to the safety of every person”.
It all started with House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner's release of a cryptic statement on Wednesday in which he called on his congressmen to investigate “information related to a serious threat to national security.”
No details on the nature of this threat or its immediate proximity. Just a few lines published on social networks calling on President Biden to “release all information on the subject.”
The message spread like wildfire and fueled speculation. And for good reason, it is very rare for intelligence agencies to communicate openly about their current files unless there is a direct threat to the general public.
In a delicate balancing act – elected members of Congress have no right to disclose the confidential information to which they have access – House Republican leader Mike Johnson, in an attempt to end the panic, declares that “there is no right.” Reason for concern .”
“Unfounded”
When contacted by AFP, a source familiar with the matter said the threat in question was “serious” but not “urgent”. Citing unidentified sources, several American media outlets speak of “extremely worrying” Russian military capabilities.
ABC News first ensures that Russia intends to deploy a nuclear weapon in space against satellites.
Asked about that information on Wednesday, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed anger that Michael Turner had decided to address the issue publicly.
“It’s his decision,” he said. “All I can tell you is that I will see him and talk to him” on Thursday.
The senior official will be in Congress early this afternoon to deliver a briefing to a group of eight elected officials with access to America's most sensitive intelligence agencies.
American diplomatic chief Antony Blinken, who was traveling in Albania, said during a press conference that he would not give details about the nature of the threat.
However, he clarified that it is not “active” but has the “potential” to be so and is being taken “very seriously.”
“I expect we will say more very soon,” the foreign minister added, noting that the United States was discussing this with its allies.
Moscow, in turn, described this information as “malicious” and “unfounded” and saw it as a maneuver by the American executive branch to impose on Ukraine an envelope that had been blocked in Congress for months.
“It's obvious. Let's see what tricks the White House is using on us, so to speak,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The Democratic-majority US Senate has approved $60 billion in new aid for Kiev, but the Republican leader of the House of Representatives is refusing to vote on the project.