EU chief warns Putin army would be ‘annihilated’ after any nuclear hit

Russia: Putin 'considering the nuclear option' says Yatsenyuk

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Vladimir Putin has been warned by the European Union’s top diplomat the Russian Army would be “annihilated” if it follows through with threats of a nuclear attack against Ukraine. Tensions have exploded over fears Russia could use a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine, with Putin issuing threats as he staged the annexation of four occupied regions in the face of devastating losses on the battlefield. On September 21, during a national address to the nation, Putin chillingly warned he could use nuclear weapons if Russia’s territory is threatened.

The Russian President reminded the West that Russia has a huge arsenal of modern weapons of destruction warning: “I am not bluffing.”

But now the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has hit back with a vengeance, warning that any Russian nuclear attack on Ukraine would result in its own forced being completely destroyed.

The EU’s top diplomat said at the opening of a Diplomatic Academy in Brussels: “Putin is saying he is not bluffing.

“Well, he cannot afford bluffing, and it has to be clear that the people supporting Ukraine and the European Union and the Member States, and the United States and NATO are not bluffing neither.”

“Any nuclear attack against Ukraine will create an answer, not a nuclear answer but such a powerful answer from the military side that the Russian Army will be annihilated.”

This is the second huge warning directed at Putin in a matter of hours as fears continue to swirl over a possible Russian nuclear attack on Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the circumstances in which the defence alliance might have to use nuclear weapons are “extremely remote” but warned there would be “severe consequences” if Russia made such a move.

He told a news conference after a meeting of NATO defence ministers: “There would be severe consequences if Russia used nuclear weapons, any kind of nuclear weapon against Ukraine.

“We will not go into exactly how we will respond, but this will fundamentally change the nature of the conflict. It means that a very important line has been crossed,” added Mr Stoltenberg, referring to the war in Ukraine that followed Russia’s invasion of the country.

He made clear the central aim of NATO’s nuclear deterrent was to preserve peace and prevent coercion against its allies, and so the circumstances under which it might have to use nuclear weapons were “extremely remote”.

On Wednesday, another NATO official warned: “There would be a sharp response – almost certainly drawing a physical response from many allies, and potentially from NATO itself.”

The US has also reaffirmed its commitment to defend “every inch” of NATO territory ahead of talks with defence ministers from the alliance that will include closed-door discussions by its Nuclear Planning Group.

DON’T MISS
Germany blames Putin over economic chaos as recession looms [LATEST]
American prisoners of war tortured at the hands of Russian captors [COMMENTS]
Russian missile strikes intended to knock out critical infrastructure [REPORT]

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said: “We are committed to defending every inch of NATO’s territory – if and when it comes to that.”

Earlier today, Alexander Venediktov, the deputy secretary of Russia’s Security Council, was quoted by Russian media warning that World War Three could break out if Ukraine were allowed to join NATO.

He is reported to have said: “Kyiv is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to World War Three. The suicidal nature of such a step is understood by NATO members themselves.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has already announced a bid for fast-track membership of NATO, but full NATO membership could be some time away as all the defence alliance’s 30 members would have to give their consent.

Source: Read Full Article