Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on NATO to conduct “preventative action” against Russian targets to prevent their use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
The president said these actions “are needed so that [the Russians] know what awaits them if they use nuclear weapons” on Thursday during an event with the Australian think tank the Lowy Institute. “Not the other way around, waiting for Russia’s nuclear strikes and then saying, ‘Oh, you’ve done that, then get this.’”
During Zelensky’s remarks, his interpreter said he called for “preventative strikes” but then corrected himself to say “preventative action.”
Zelensky adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on social media that reports he called for a preventive nuclear strike were “fake.”
“Another ru-fake. 1. @ZelenskyyUa said nothing about a preventive nuclear strike on RF,” he said. “2. Zelensky reminded about Russian nuclear blackmail and suggested to preemptively outline the consequences for Russia and intensify strikes against it — sanctions and armed assistance to UA.”
NATO WARNS RUSSIA: PUTIN WOULD ‘REGRET’ ANY USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
His comments come amid increased concern that Russian President Vladimir Putin could use a tactical nuclear weapon amid developments in the war out of his control and against his interests.
Russia is moving forward with the annexation of four regions in south and eastern Ukraine despite an outcry from the West that it’s in violation of international law, and Putin has warned that Russia will view attacks on these regions as attacks against the Russian Federation.
During the annexation process, which included sham referendums that supposedly passed with overwhelming support, Putin continued to saber-rattle, threatening to use nuclear weapons — threats he has made throughout the war. Despite the concern, however, U.S. officials have reiterated as recently as this week that they have seen no reason to change their nuclear posture.
The administration announced new sanctions against Russian officials following the annexation, and national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned of “catastrophic consequences” should they launch a nuke, but they have been tight-lipped about what that response would include.
Dutch Adm. Rob Bauer, chairman of NATO’s military committee, warned earlier this week that Russia would “regret” it if they used a nuclear weapon, telling the Warsaw Security Forum, “The response will be such that the Russians will regret what they have done. And I think that is extremely important.”
He, like Sullivan, did not provide specifics on what a response could entail.
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Tobias Ellwood, who chairs the House of Commons defense committee, said earlier this week that NATO could respond using “conventional” military actions “probably involving every F-35 in NATO’s arsenal and taking out perhaps every asset that is in Ukraine itself.”
“This idea of strategic ambiguity — of being vague about what you might do, but you might do something — is not strong enough,” he added.
Putin ordered a “partial mobilization” of roughly 300,000 Russian conscripts last month after Ukrainian forces executed a successful counteroffensive, though the announcement also spurred a large exodus of draft-eligible men to flee the country either by air or car. Others have taken to the streets in some cities to protest.
Editor’s note: This piece originally said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for “preemptive strikes” in the headline and body. A review of the translator’s remarks reveals he said “preventative strikes” but then corrected himself to say “preventative action.”
