US urges NATO vigilance for signs Russia could use nuclear weapon in Ukraine

April 18, 2023 event:

The U.S. and its NATO allies must remain alert for signs Russian President Vladimir Putin could use a tactical nuclear weapon in a “managed” escalation of his war in Ukraine, the second-highest U.S. diplomat said on Tuesday. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman issued the warning during the opening session of an annual NATO arms control conference that was being held in North America for the first time since its inception in 2004. “We have all watched and worried that Vladimir Putin would use what he considers a non-strategic tactical nuclear weapon or use some demonstration effect to escalate, but in an managed risk escalation,” Sherman said. “It is very critical to remain watchful of this.” Putin’s March 25 announcement that Russia is preparing to station tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus “is his effort to use this threat in a managed way,” Sherman said.

Comment

There is a lot of talk in the press that Ukraine is about to launch a major push back against Russia. But could Putin be defeated and pushed out of Ukraine? Or is it more likely Putin will resort to greater and greater destruction to bring about a permanent stalemate – even an agreement- forced on Ukraine by the West? The latter seems unlikely currently but it is actually the most probable outcome. Putin must succeed and be able to declare some victory. The minimum victory he wants is the recognition that the Donbass region and Crimea are now Russian. The way he could bring nations to the table is by showing he will go to ANY lengths to achieve this goal. Tactical nuclear weapons are much smaller nukes and the fear is Putin may well use them. The Bible says Gog / Putin brings about “fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does…”

when the transgressors have reached their full measure, a king of bold countenance, one who understands riddles, shall arise. His power shall be great, and he shall cause fearful destruction, and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people of the saints. (Daniel 8:23-24)

Andy Walton

Weekly World Watch Apr 16th – 29th 2023

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Preceding

PM warns Vladimir Putin against ‘tragic mistake’ as tensions rise with Ukraine

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Additional reading

1. Prepare for Russian invasion of Ukraine, US warns European allies
2. Iranian nuclear programme geared towards creating a bomb
3. Putin plays dangerous poker game
4. Stories the Week brought to you from 2022 May 26 – June 01
5. Going to the end of 2022 having to see an ongoing invasion
6. Putin puts Russia’s nuclear force on high alert
7. Targets in north, west, center of Ukraine and Crimean peninsula
8. Putin needing weapons from Xi
9. Sunday 2023 March 26 Frontpage
10. What we know on day 397 of the Russian invasion
11. The Developments for the second half of April