How to Make Sure Putin Never Uses Nuclear Weapons in Ukraine

The whole world is responsible for upholding the nuclear weapons taboo – not just the United States. Putin is the one who plays the game Nuclear card—again.

From the earliest days The war in Ukraine has triggered the Russian leader Has Frequently sought To Remember His West enemies claim that he still has a large nuclear arsenal and could use these weapons if Ukraine, the United States or any other country were to invade. NATO countries Cross a Russian “red line.”

In this context, Many analysts We have understood Putin’s recent announcement to “Stop“Participation in the New START Agreement. People in the West are concerned by the reminder that Russia’s nukes capabilities are being reminded, even though the arm control regime is deteriorating is a regrettable thing in itself. But How anxious Should they be? What, if any, should they be?

The obvious answer to this question is that nuclear escalation threats should make the world very worried. There are no guarantees that the escalation will not occur. Use of nuclear weapons Ukraine has a calamitous future, so it is important to be vigilant, prudent, and have strategic empathy.

However, this does not tell you how to stop war. “going nuclear.” This is a more difficult question to answer. Not least for Americans, who tend to view the war against Ukraine through the lense of US global leadership. Whenever the prospect of a terrible outcome is discussed in the United States—whether a Ukrainian collapse, a humanitarian catastrophe, or the use of nuclear weapons—the inevitable response is to ask what Washington could and should do to avert disaster.

For example, last year, retired generals David Petraeus It was argued that it would be proportionate to the US military to exterminate all Russian forces in Eastern Ukraine. Crimea, and Black Sea In response to a nuclear blast. Others have adopted a similar approach. Hawkish Methods of deterrence

To avoid what is happening, it’s not wise to threaten massive military reprisals. President Biden Rightly, the possibility of a nuclear disaster has been called “the prospect of a catastrophic nuclear.” “Armageddon.”

First, there is a clear credibility problem. Putin should believe that the United States will wage war against Russia as a response to a nuclear explosion. He would rather conclude that Washington is lying and there would not be a military response to the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

This also relates to another problem, the risk of entering into unneeded and risky obligations. If Putin is willing to accept US threats of military intervention, then is it really in America’s national interest to declare a policy of launching World War III to counter the use of nuclear weapons?

Consider what would happen if the United States launched massive conventional strikes on Russian military targets – destroying tank formations, sinking ships, and killing soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Is Moscow a puppet? Possibly. However, it could also retaliate in type (as best possible) or resorting to further nuclear weapons. It would. No way Washington leaders should be able control the scale and pace of escalation.

Simply put, the US would be in grave danger if it fought a conventional war with Russia. The military situation would be governed by political leaders. Security of Western European, Eastern, and Central European societies would also be in danger. Ukraine would become an infernal place.

It’s not just the American people that are interested in deterring Putin using weapons-of-mass destruction. The rest have a stake in the game. Washington should be encouraging other countries to make credible threats to retaliate against Russian barbarism, especially as nuclear escalation risks increase.

Putin must be made clear that he is breaking the Nuclear taboo It would be a crime against the whole international community. Putin should be aware of the fact that crossing the nuclear Rubicon could result in his complete isolation and delegitimization.

The world must also stress to Putin that the use of nuclear weapons would severely affect Russia’s economic situation, national safety, and even the survival the current regime. While there are strict limits to what the United States can threaten in this regard, other actors – India and China, especially – have enormous political, diplomatic, and economic leverage over Moscow that must be brought to bear.

Perhaps it is unreasonable to expect Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi making public threats against Putin. Both leaders are motivated to prevent the use of nuclear weapons on the battlefield becoming normalized. It is possible to imagine them privately warning Moscow about their intentions of withdrawing their lifelines in case of nuclear attack in Ukraine.

The majority of the Other major powers that have held back from punishing Russia for the invasion of Ukraine – Turkey, Brazil, Argentina, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa among them – have even stronger reasons to deter Putin’s use of nuclear weapons. It would be a serious threat for these countries and other similar nations to have to confront a world in nuclear blackmail becoming more common and proliferation harder to keep in check.

The nuclear ban has been in place for nearly 80 years. Since Hiroshima, Nagasaki, no nation has ever used nuclear weapons to enrage. This de facto ban on nuclear attacks has been a boon for every government. This is why deterring Putin from using nuclear weapons is of the utmost importance – not just the United States, but for the entire international community.

Can Putin be convinced that nuclear weapons will result in his complete isolation and the possible collapse of his own regime? It is a deterrent well worth trying for – but it will take a global effort, not unilateral threats made by the United States.

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Expertise in Authorship and Experience 

Dr. Peter Harris Colorado State University’s associate professor of politics is also a fellow at Defense Priorities. She is also a contributor editor at 19FortyFive.

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