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| A small nuclear explosion: only 23 kilotons. [A] |
“But what is important – I once again appeal to the international community, as I did before February 24 – we need pre-emptive strikes, so that they [the Russians] will know what will happen to them if they use nukes, and not the other way around.
“Don’t wait for Russia’s nuclear strikes, and then say, ‘Oh, since you did this, take that from us!’ Reconsider the way you apply pressure. This is what NATO should do – reconsider the order in which it applies pressure [on Russia]” – Volodymir Zelensky (English translation, as reported here).
With that Zelensky was answering Michael Fullilove, executive director of the Lowy Institute, in Sydney on Thursday 6th. During the question and answer session following Zelensky’s speech Fullilove had asked: “Mr President, in your remarks you mentioned nuclear blackmail. Mr Putin told us the other day that he’s not bluffing. So may I ask you, do you believe that the likelihood of the use of Russian nuclear weapons against Ukraine has risen, and what more do you want NATO to do to deter Russia from using nuclear weapons?”
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Although it did not fully surprise me (see here), that did cause a bit of shock among others, better disposed towards the Ukrainian.
To alleviate their anxiety, Serhii Nykyforov, Zelensky’s spokesman, explained: “Colleagues, you have gone a little too far with your nuclear hysteria and now you hear nuclear strikes even where there are none. The president spoke about the period before 24 February. Then it was necessary to apply preventive measures to prevent Russia from starting the war. Let me remind you that the only measures that were about then were preventive sanctions” – as quoted by The Guardian (UK).
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I don’t know about you, but I still remember when Joe Biden said, referring to Vladimir Putin: “For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power”.
Calls like that used to be a serious no-no in international relations among nuclear powers, a red-line uncrossed even during the height of the Cold War: whether Biden’s cognitive state allowed him to understand it or not, he was openly calling for Putin’s deposal – at best – or assassination – at worst.
Understandably, Biden’s call was received with anxiety (much like Zelensky’s statement this week). To alleviate that anxiety, Antony Blinken, Biden’s Secreatary of State, explained at the time: “I think the President … made the point last night that, quite simply, President Putin cannot be empowered to wage war or engage in aggression against Ukraine or anyone else.”
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Of course, I don’t know how persuasive and reassuring you find those denials, and it’s not my place to tell you what to think.
What you cannot deny – and I feel free to highlight – is that both situations seem very much alike.
IMAGE CREDITS:
[A] “The BADGER explosion on April 18, 1953”. Badger was a small device: some 2. Source: WikiMedia. Author: National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office. Image in the public domain
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