![]() Putin’s citation of “aggressive comments” as a justification for putting one of the world’s largest nuclear arsenals on alert status seemed both disproportionate and puzzling, he said. Allison of Harvard University, whose study of the Kennedy administration’s handling of the Cuban missile crisis, “Essence of Decision,” has been read by generations of international relations students - and many of the national security staff surrounding Mr. Sea Drone Attack: The apparent use of remote-controlled boats to attack the Russian naval fleet off the Crimean port city of Sevastopol suggests an expansion in Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities after months of military aid from Western nations.The work of reconnaissance teams penetrating enemy lines has also proven key in breaking Russia’s hold in the territory. Turning the Tables: With powerful Western weapons and deadly homemade drones, Ukraine now has an artillery advantage in the Kherson region.officials say they do not believe that Moscow has decided to detonate a tactical nuclear device in Ukraine, but concerns are rising. Putin makes public threats and Russian generals hold private discussions, U.S. Nuclear Rhetoric: As President Vladimir V.Grain Deal: Russia rejoined an agreement allowing the shipment of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, one of the few areas of cooperation amid the war, easing uncertainty over the fate of a deal seen as crucial to preventing famine in other parts of the world.Putin issued his directive, leaving some wondering what he was thinking, and how he might respond. Russia’s most senior military officer, Valery Gerasimov, sat stone-faced as Mr. Putin told his generals that he was acting because of the West’s “aggressive comments” about Ukraine. ![]() But what made the latest nuclear outburst notable was that it was staged for television, as Mr. Putin has reminded the world, and Washington, that he has a massive arsenal and might be tempted to use it. It was the second time in a week that Mr. Biden, in Delaware for the weekend, respond to Mr. Similar concerns drove the decision not to have Mr. Putin wants to create that impression, to add to Washington’s unease. Clapper Jr., said in public today what some officials have been saying in private since the Russian leader began accusing Ukraine of genocide and claiming it was developing nuclear weapons of its own. The former director of national intelligence, James R. Putin tests how far he can go and threatens to use the ultimate weapon to get there.Īnd his outburst highlighted anew the question, coursing through the American intelligence community, about the state of mind of the Russian leader, a man previously described as pragmatic, calculating and cunning. Putin for “another escalatory and unnecessary step that threatens us all.” The White House made it clear that America’s own alert status had not changed.īut to many in the administration, who spoke on Sunday on the condition of anonymity, it was a stark reminder of how quickly the Ukraine crisis could spin into a direct superpower confrontation - and how it may yet do so, as Mr. ![]() The American ambassador to the United Nations reminded the Security Council on Sunday afternoon that Russia was “under no threat” and chided Mr. Putin as once again manufacturing a menace, threatening Armageddon for a war he started without provocation.įor now, at least, Mr. Or the president could largely ignore it, sending out aides to portray Mr. They could match the move and put American forces on Defcon 3 - known to moviegoers as that moment when the Air Force rolls out bombers, and nuclear silos and submarines are put on high alert. Putin declared Sunday that he was putting his nuclear forces into “special combat readiness” - a heightened alert status reminiscent of some of the most dangerous moments of the Cold War - President Biden and his aides had a choice.
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