President Joe Biden issued a warning about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons.
“We have not faced the prospect of armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis,” Biden said at a fundraiser in New York City with Democratic donors.
It was reportedly held at the home of James Murdoch.
He continued, “He’s not joking when he talks about potential use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons because his military is, you might say, significantly underperforming.”
The president also said he is trying to “figure out what is Putin’s off ramp.”
He asked, “Where does he find a way out? Where does he find himself in a position that he does not not only lose face but significant power within Russia?”
President Biden said the risk of nuclear "Armageddon" is the highest it has been for 60 years after Russian President Putin renewed his threats as his military retreats in Ukraine. @KeirSimmons has the story. pic.twitter.com/STN1G7y7aZ
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 7, 2022
The New York Times’ Katie Rogers and David E. Sanger wrote Biden’s “references to Armageddon were highly unusual for any American president. Since the Cuban Missile Crisis, 60 years ago this month, occupants of the Oval Office have rarely spoken in such grim tones about the possible use of nuclear weapons, much less talked openly about ‘off ramps.”
The Washington Post reported one of Putin’s insiders expressed disagreement directly to him recently over his handling of the war in Ukraine, citing information gathered by U.S. intelligence.
“Since the start of the occupation we have witnessed growing alarm from a number of Putin’s inner circle,” a Western intelligence official stated, as the Post reported.
They continued, “Our assessments suggest they are particularly exercised by recent Russian losses, misguided direction and extensive military shortcomings.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov recognized there has been disagreements among leaders in Russia.
“There is disagreement over such moments. Some think we should act differently,” Peskov told the Post.
He added, “But this is all part of the usual working process.”
When asked directly about disagreements among Putin’s insiders, Peskov replied, “There are working arguments: about the economy, about the conduct of the military operation. There are arguments about the education system. This is part of the normal working process, and it is not a sign of any split.”
Earlier this month, the Post explained Putin’s “declaration of the annexation of four regions in eastern and southern Ukraine signals the onset of a new and highly dangerous phase in the seven-month war, one that Western officials and analysts fear could escalate to the use of nuclear weapons for the first time in 77 years.”
