Biden warns of potential nuclear “Armageddon”
President Biden announced the high risk of a nuclear “Armageddon” following the continuous Ukraine-Russia crisis. The US president’s warning is at red alert and at its ultimate level since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Russian officials declared to use their nuclear weapons following Russia’s major military and economic setbacks.
On Thursday night, Biden said in a Democratic fundraiser that Vladimir Putin is “a guy I know well.” He also emphasized that the Russian president is “not joking when he talks about the use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons.”
The US president added, “We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis.” He also claimed that Putin’s threat is no joke. “Because his military is — you might say — significantly underperforming.”
Wow. Biden at a Dem fundraiser tonight: “We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis.” He says Putin is “not joking when he talks about potential use of tactical,” nuclear or biological weapons because his military is underperforming.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) October 7, 2022
In 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis became a 13-day crisis. The showdown rooted from the Soviet Union’s launch of nuclear weapons in Cuba. It forged John F. Kennedy’s administration to instill a naval blockade of the island. It is the closest moment the US has ever come to a nuclear war.
Moreover, US officials have warned that Russia might use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. This is due to Russia suffering from impediments on the battlefield. However, Biden’s warnings strike as the bleakest by the US government regarding nuclear threats.
Although one government official sees Biden’s remarks as broad. The official said that Biden is implying that the White House assumes Putin’s ideas as “reckless and irresponsible,” and Biden is taking it seriously. According to the official, the president’s remarks are almost similar to his warnings in speeches at the UN General Assembly.
No Signs of Russia Backing Down
The White House officials said this week that there are no signs of Russia alleviating its nuclear forces. The move would require the US nuclear forces to adjust the alert status. This prompted Biden to announce the warning.
#UPDATE US President Joe Biden says world risks nuclear "Armageddon" for the first time since the Cold War and he is trying to find Russian President Vladimir Putin's "off-ramp".
"We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis" in 1962 pic.twitter.com/6Tds1PBg43
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 7, 2022
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, “We have not seen any reason to adjust our own strategic nuclear posture, nor do we have an indication that Russia is preparing to imminently use nuclear weapons.”
Biden also discussed the Russian nuclear principle at the fundraising event. He warned that using a low-level weapon could possibly be out of control, causing major global destruction.
The US president said, “I don’t think there is any such a thing as the ability to easily use a tactical nuclear weapon. And not end up with Armageddon.”
Furthermore, Biden’s remarks about a possible “Armageddon” also came from Putin repeatedly saying he’ll be using his country’s massive nuclear arsenal. He said last month, “I want to remind you that our country also has various means of destruction … and when the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, to protect Russia and our people, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal,”
