Jay Clemons – April 15, 2022
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sounded an alarm to the rest of the world Friday, warning that Russia could resort to using nuclear weapons in its war with Ukraine.
While appearing with CNN host Jake Tapper, Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin does not value the lives of Ukrainian citizens, and that he could potentially go to extremes to win this war.
“I think all of the world, all the countries, have to be worried, because it can be not real information, but it can be truth,” said Zelenskyy, when pressed if Putin would ever authorize the usage of tactical nuclear weapons on the neighboring Ukraine.
Zelenskyy added: “[The Russians] could do it, for them the life of the people [means] nothing. … We should think, not be afraid, be ready. But that is not a question … only for Ukraine, but for all the world.”
Zelenskyy’s messaging is a tangible shift from last month, when the leader characterized Putin’s threat of implementing nuclear weapons on Ukraine as a “bluff.”
Back in March, Putin ordered that his nuclear forces be placed on higher alert after Zelenskyy repeatedly called for NATO to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
On Thursday, CIA Director William Burns echoed Zelenskyy’s weapons warning about Russia, while giving a speech in Atlanta.
“Given the potential desperation of President Putin and the Russian leadership, given the setbacks that they’ve faced so far militarily, none of us can take lightly the threat posed by a potential resort to tactical nuclear weapons or low-yield nuclear weapons,” said Burns, the CIA director since March 2021.