Russia issues nuclear threat following use of US-made longer range missiles by Ukraine

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A series of missiles launched by Ukraine towards the Bryansk region of Russia could lead to a further escalation in the conflict between the two nations.
Russian officials claim the longer range Army Tactical Missile System used in the attack had been provided to Ukraine by the US.
US officials later confirmed the Kremlin’s claims, which came a day after the Biden administration gave Ukraine the green light for the use of its longer-range missiles.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the US’s actions could have dire consequences.
“The President (Vladimir Putin) mentioned this several times: if long-range missiles are going to be applied from Ukraine into Russian territory, it will also mean that they are operated by American military experts and we will be taking this as a qualitatively new phase of the Western war against Russia and will react accordingly.”
It comes as Russian president Vladimir Putin signs a revised doctrine to lower the threshold for nuclear warfare.
The renewed document is meant to be a warning to the US, as it dictating in what situation a nuclear response can be triggered by Russia.
The doctrine states that – a joint attack by a non-nuclear power, with the participation or support of a nuclear power, against the Russian Federation is sufficient for a nuclear counterattack.
Mr Lavrov says the doctrine was updated to safeguard against nuclear warfare.
“The update of the military doctrine does not add anything, which the West wouldn’t know, and does not add anything, which would be different, let me put it this way, from the American doctrinal documents on what to do with nuclear weapons. We are convinced that the nuclear weapon is first and foremost a weapon to constrain any, to prevent any nuclear war.”
However, the U-S has thrown the accusations back towards the Russian side, claiming they are using intimidation tactics against Ukraine and the rest of the world.
US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller says NATO does not pose a risk to Russian security.
“I am unfortunately not surprised by the comments the Kremlin has made around the publication of this new revised nuclear doctrine. Since the beginning of its war of aggression against Ukraine, it has sought to coerce and intimidate both Ukraine and other countries around the world through irresponsible nuclear rhetoric and behavior. Despite what Russia, says neither the United States nor NATO pose any threat to Russia.”
Australia’s Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles says it is Russian officials who have escalated the conflict with Ukraine.
Speaking to the ABC Mr Marles has condemned the involvement of North Korea in the Russian invasion.
“Well, it’s completely reprehensible on the part of Russia. I mean, there’s only one country which is talking about using nuclear weapons, and that’s Russia. And that’s utterly appalling. Russia’s cooperation with North Korea, such that we now have North Korean troops massing on the Ukrainian border, is an appalling escalation in what is already an appalling conflict. And of course, this conflict began with Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, which was not trying to resolve any difference by reference to international law. It’s simply trying to impose itself on a neighbour by reference to power and might.”
Mr Marles has also defended the use of the US made ATACMS weapons by Ukraine, adding they have the full support of Australia.
“At every point it is Russia which is escalating this. Ukraine clearly has a right to defend itself and we very much respect that. And more than that, we are supporting Ukraine and we will stand with Ukraine as I said for as long as it takes to resolve this conflict on their terms.”
It comes at a crucial point in the conflict as it has now been one thousand days since the start of Russia’s invasion.
Speaking from Kyiv, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on the bleak anniversary.
“1,000 days (since Russia’s full-scale invasion), I think it’s enough to understand that (Russian president Vladimir) Putin doesn’t want any peace. Even on this day – this is a fact and not just some words, not rhetoric’s – I mean even on this day, they killed our civilians. Even especially on this they, they presented nuclear weapons strategy. Why? They didn’t present peace strategy. Did you hear it? Did you read about it? No, of course, of course nuclear weapons strategy. Because he (Putin) just wants to make camps in the world, he wants to destroy Ukraine not only, and some other countries of NATO and etc.”
The Ukrainian president has called on global leaders to respond to the nuclear threat posed by Russia.
“Today G20 countries, they’re sitting today in Brazil, did they did they say something? Nothing. Nothing strong. This is the answer. So what can our strategy be if even G20 countries don’t have any strong strategy? So our strategy is to be strong. And when Putin even begins to speak about nuclear weapons, the world has to put (an) answer on the table, (a) really strong answer on the table (as to) what they will do if Putin will use something like this (nuclear) weapon or other things.”
But Europe seems content with the provision of arms towards Ukraine, considering the nuclear statement made by Russia as nothing but a bluff.
Speaking from Belgium, the European Union chief of foreign policy Josep Borrell says this is not a conflict that European nations are directly involved in.
He says it will be crucial to see how the change in the U-S administration will affect the continued support towards Ukraine.
“We are not part of this war, we are just supporting Ukraine with military capabilities, but there are not European troops in Ukraine and it is not foreseen for Russia to have to face European troops in the battlefield. The important thing is to measure the willingness of European member states to continue supporting Ukraine, and certainly we are in a different scenario with a different president in the White House, which seems to have ideas about how to end the war.”
During the G-20 summit in Rio De Janeiro, the UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer repeated his request for Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
“And under my leadership, Britain will never be absent from the world table. We will work with partners across the G20, but one nation stands apart. For the third year running (Russian President, Vladimir) Putin did not attend this summit. He is the author of his own exile. And on day 1,000 of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine, I say again: end the war, get out of Ukraine.”
Meanwhile, the federal government is considering re-opening its embassy in Kyiv, as a way to send a message of solidarity to the people of Ukraine.
Minister Marles says they are continuing their consultations, with the safety of embassy workers the government’s highest priority.
“Well it’s something we want to do. We’ve been wanting to do it for some time. We do have our ambassador in the region who operates out of Warsaw (Poland). This is a matter of making sure obviously in the context of a war zone that we can open this in a manner which is safe for all of those who would be in the embassy and so this continues to be a work in progress around how that can be done.”