Biden warns Putin not to use nuclear or chemical weapons in Ukraine
US President Joe Biden has urged his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, not to use nuclear or chemical weapons in Ukraine, warning him that he will become the world’s biggest “pariah” if he does.
“No, no, don’t. He will change the face of war like never before since World War II,” he said in an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes.”
In an excerpt from the advanced program this Saturday, journalist Scott Pelley asked the president about the possible response of the United States if Putin used nuclear or chemical weapons to change the course of the conflict in Ukraine.
Biden responded that there would be “consequences” and that the Russians would “become the biggest outcasts the world has ever seen.”
“The answer will depend on the scope of what they do,” the Democratic leader limited himself to saying in the interview, which will be broadcast in full on Sunday.
"Don't. Don't. Don't. You will change the face of war unlike anything since World War II," is what President Joe Biden says he would tell President Vladimir Putin if the Russian leader is contemplating the use of tactical nuclear or chemical weapons. Sunday, on 60 Minutes. pic.twitter.com/8xxaDnYcqj
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) September 16, 2022
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the United States has imposed, in coordination with its allies, sanctions on the Russian financial sector, Putin and dozens of officials, businessmen and oligarchs from that country, in addition to sending military aid to kyiv.
The war, stalled in eastern Ukraine for months, opened a new phase this week with the Russian withdrawal in the Kharkov region, which borders Donbas.
The United States believes that China and India are increasing “pressure” on the Kremlin to end the war, after their leaders, Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi, expressed concerns to Putin about the consequences of the conflict.
