As the Russian military operation finds unexpected and violent resistance, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fears that Putin would turn to nuclear weapons.
What was supposed to be a quick takeover of Ukraine has taken more than 50 days. Frustrated by the escalating defeats, Russian President Vladimir Putin may be ready to unleash tactical nuclear weapons. This would unquestionably lead to World War III, Zelensky said.
Putin might deploy nuclear or chemical weapons since he does not value the life of Ukrainians. The West, like the rest of the world, is wary of the potential. The battle has reached a critical stage, with Russia being forced to withdraw from Kyiv, Ukraine's capital. It has concentrated its forces in the separatist-controlled Donbas region. A Russian mouthpiece presenter had already declared "World War II has begun" after the humiliating loss of its guided-missile cruiser the Moskva.
CIA Director Bill Burns stated on Thursday that the US is "watching attentively" for Russia's next move. "Given President Putin's probable desperation, given the defeats that they've encountered thus far militarily," he warned at Georgia Tech, "none of us can take lightly the threat posed by a potential recourse to tactical nuclear weapons or low yield nuclear weapons."
Russia put its nuclear deterrent forces on high alert since February 27, two days after commencing "special military operations" in Ukraine. This indicated that its nuclear arsenal was at a higher state of preparedness. The escalation was justified by Putin because of the West's and NATO's "aggressive rhetoric" and devastating sanctions against Russia.
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