US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of the implications of using a nuclear weapon in its war against Ukraine.
The top US diplomat said at a Bloomberg event that US officials "communicated directly and very clearly" to Putin about the consequences of Russia Nuclear weapons usage, CNN reported.
Blinken also called Russia's suggestion that Ukraine could use a "dirty bomb" the peak of recklessness and "another fabrication" from a nuclear state.
He claimed that the United States had spoken with Russia "about trying to exploit this fake accusation as a justification for any escalation.
Russia has made accusations that Ukraine was planning to employ a "dirty bomb," yet the launches have nonetheless occurred.The allegations have been generally rejected as false by Western countries, which have cited the existence of "dirty bombs," or explosive devices containing radioactive material.
Kyiv has issued a warning, saying the accusations suggest Moscow may be planning such an attack on its own.
Blinken reaffirmed that the United States follows the Kremlin's nuclear saber-rattling "extremely carefully," but that it hasn't "seen any reason to change our nuclear posture."
Russia Conducts First Nuclear Drill Since Start of Ukraine War
USA Warning comes in light of Russia Nuclear weapons drill presided over by Russian President Vladimir Putin, as tensions with the West rise due to his eight-month-long war in Russia Ukraine war.
The Kremlin announced that a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome, located about 500 miles north of Moscow, and a Sineva ballistic missile was launched from the Barents Sea to the distant Kura test site in Kamchatka province in Russia's Far East, BBC reported.
Russia conducted its last nuclear drill just five days before the start of the Russia Ukraine war.
Russian TV broadcasters showed President Vladimir Putin witnessing the launch live. He doubled down on his allegations of a Ukrainian "dirty bomb" plan in statements he delivered through a video link to a gathering of the regional security services, which were also shown on camera.
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Russia's drills took place as its operation in southern and eastern Ukraine stalled.
Following the requirements of the New Start weapons pact, the United States was given advance notice of the Russia Nuclear weapons drill, according to various media reports.
Military sources in Washington noted that the Russians complied with weapons control commitments by informing the US before the latest drill.
US Started Storing Upgraded Nukes in Europe
In other related news, a US diplomatic cable and two persons knowledgeable with the matter informed Politico that the United States has expedited the deployment of a more precise version of its staple nuclear weapon to NATO facilities in Europe.
US officials told NATO allies in a closed-door meeting in Brussels this month that the arrival of the improved B61-12 air-dropped gravity bomb, originally scheduled for next spring, is now planned for this December, per Politico.
The operation involves replacing older bombs with the newer version at various storage facilities in Europe for potential deployment by U.S. and partner bombers and fighter jets.
Pentagon officials have stated for years that the changes to the B61 program are vital to guarantee the arsenal is updated and safe, and those enhancements have been widely mentioned in financial statements and public pronouncements.
Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder informed Politico via e-mail that the modernization of US B61 nuclear weapons has been underway for years and preparations to safely and responsibly switch out older bombs for the enhanced B61-12 variants are part of a long-planned and scheduled modernization process.
The official also clarified that the measure was not ramped up and has nothing to do with the Russia Ukraine war.
