WASHINGTON, May 7, 2022 (AFP) – Bill Burns, director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), said Saturday that he saw no indication that Russia was preparing to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine.
“As the intelligence community, we do not currently see practical evidence that Russia is planning for the deployment or even potential use of tactical nuclear weapons,” Burns said at a conference hosted by the Financial Times.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is “determined to continue the war,” said CIA director. He’s in a mood that he believes he can’t afford to lose, and he believes doubling down at this point will still keep him moving forward.”
Russia placed its nuclear forces on high alert shortly after invading Ukraine on February 24. Putin also made veiled threats implying a Russian president’s willingness to deploy tactical nuclear weapons.
The Kremlin chief has warned of “lightning-fast” retaliation if the West directly intervenes in the Ukrainian conflict. According to observers, Russian state television has tried in recent days to make the use of nuclear weapons more acceptable to the public.
source: Noticias
