President Joe Biden warned Vladmir Putin to avoid using nuclear weapons as his forces are beaten back in Ukraine or face ‘consequences.’ In a preview for this Sunday’s 60 Minutes, Scott Pelley asked the president what words he would have for his Russian counterpart if he is considering using chemical or tactical nuclear weapons in the Ukraine. Biden responded: ‘Don’t. Don’t. Don’t. You will change the face of war unlike anything since World War II.’
When Pelley pushed the president for America’s response should Putin cross the line, Biden declined to comment on a specific plan, only saying that the US would act if nuclear weapons are put into play. ‘It’ll be consequential,’ Biden said. ‘[Russia] will become more of a pariah in the world than they ever have been. ‘And depending on the extent of what they do will determine what response would occur.’
Biden’s response comes a day after his administration committed to sending another $600 million in military aid to Ukraine, which successfully took back another major city from Russian forces on Wednesday.
The White House said it was the 21st time that the Defense Department has pulled weapons and other equipment off the shelves to deliver to Ukraine. The package will include more of the same types of ammunition and equipment that have helped Ukrainian forces beat back the Russian forces in portions of the east and south.
Most recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky helped raise his nation’s flag over the newly-recaptured Russian stronghold of Izyum as he celebrated a stunning counter-attack that routed Putin’s forces in the north of the country.
‘Ukraine is taking back its own,’ a military spokesman said, as a growing hope of overall victory against Putin’s forces begins to spread across the country in the wake of Russia’s most-recent battlefield humiliation. The victory came just a week after Ukraine liberated the city Balakliya, as soldiers were seen cheering with local residents freed from Russia’s control.
The cities of Izyum, Kupyansk and Vovchansk which formed the staging post for the Kremlin’s attacks in the region and contain key railway lines to get ammo and other supplies to its soldiers are now under Ukrainian control. Moscow’s recent rout in northeast Ukraine was its largest military defeat since the withdrawal of Russian troops from areas near Kyiv more than five months ago.
In a statement about America’s commitment to Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: ‘ With admirable grit and determination, the people of Ukraine are defending their homeland and fighting for their future. ‘The capabilities we are delivering are carefully calibrated to make the most difference on the battlefield and strengthen Ukraine’s hand at the negotiating table when the time is right.’ (Daily Mail)
