Biden warns of nuclear ‘Armageddon’ amid Putin's threats

US President Joe Biden has warned that the risk of a nuclear “Armageddon” is the highest since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, as the Kremlin threatens to use nuclear force amid setbacks in its invasion of Ukraine. 

US President Joe Biden has warned that the risk of a nuclear “Armageddon” is the highest since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, as Russian leader Vladimir Putin threatens to use nuclear force amid setbacks in his invasion of Ukraine.

PAP/EPA/Yuri Gripas

Biden made the remark at a fundraising event in New York on Thursday, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

‘Direct threat of the use of a nuclear weapon’ for first time since 1962

The US president said: “We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis.” 

He added: ”[For the] first time since the Cuban Missile Crisis, we have a direct threat of the use [of a] nuclear weapon if, in fact, things continue down the path they are going.”

BREAKING: President Biden said the risk of nuclear “Armageddon” is at its highest level since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, as Russian officials speak of the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons after suffering massive setbacks in Ukraine. https://t.co/r6A6wmnSgl

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 7, 2022

Referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden said: "We've got a guy I know fairly well. He's not joking when he talks about the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons, or biological or chemical weapons, because his military is, you might say, significantly underperforming."

Speaking at a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin was “not joking when he talks about the use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons.” https://t.co/fTJR7jbuwd

— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) October 7, 2022

The US president also questioned Russia’s nuclear doctrine, saying that even the use of tactical nuclear weapons may spiral out of control, resulting in worldwide destruction. 

"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," Biden warned.

President Biden says the risk of nuclear "Armageddon" is the highest it has been in roughly 60 years. https://t.co/5OkmxmOfmB

— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 7, 2022

‘We don’t assess Putin has decided to use nuclear weapons at this time’

Meanwhile, the Pentagon press secretary has said that the US Department of Defense has no indication that Putin has made a decision to use nuclear weapons. 

Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Thursday: ”At this stage, we do not have any information that would cause us to change our strategic deterrence posture. And we don't assess that President Putin has made a decision to use nuclear weapons at this time.”

LIVE: @PentagonPresSec @USAirForce Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder holds a news briefing at the Pentagon. https://t.co/QRw8RTI1JS

— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) October 6, 2022

Ryder said: “We're taking it very seriously. We'll continue to monitor.”

“In the meantime, again, our focus is on supporting Ukraine,” he added.  

Putin on September 21 announced a partial call-up of reservists to fight in Ukraine, backed a plan to annex parts of Ukraine and said he would be ready to use nuclear weapons to defend Russia, warning the West he was “not bluffing,” the Reuters news agency reported.

Friday is day 226 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

(pm/gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters, nbcnews.com, edition.cnn.com, defense.gov