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Def Sec Austin: No Indication Russian Nuclear Exercises Are Cover

US-RUSSIA

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin says the Pentagon see no indication that ongoing Russian nuclear exercises are cover for something else, in remarks from the Department of Defence.

  • Austin: "We have not seen anything to indicate that Putin has made a decision to use a dirty bomb, nor have we seen any indications that the Ukrainians are planning such a thing."
  • Austin's remarks come as Russian President Vladimir Putin concludes
    an antagonistic annual speech to the Valdai Discussion Club.
  • Putin said: "The West is trying to lay blame on Russia when talking about the nuclear threat."
  • Putin: "[Former UK Prime Minister] Liz Truss was crazy when she was talking about nuclear weapons. We saw this as blackmail."
  • Putin: "There is a danger of nuclear weapons usage so long as nuclear weapons exist," but Putin says Russia's nuclear doctrine dictates that nuclear weapons should "only be used for defence."
  • Putin's comments are unlikely to ease heightened nuclear tensions as ambiguity persists about what Moscow considers defence. The Kremlin has stressed that Crimea and, to a lesser extent, newly annexed Ukrainian territories are part of the Russian Federation, therefore may be subject to nuclear defence doctrine if the Ukrainian counteroffensive continues.

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