Putin To Use Nuclear Weapons Only If Faced With Existential Threat - US Intelligence Chief - UrduPoint

Russian President Vladimir Putin would use nuclear weapons only if he perceives an existential threat to the Russian state but can resort to nuclear rhetoric to deter Washington from sending military aid to Ukraine, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines said on Tuesday.

"We believe that Moscow continues to use nuclear rhetoric to deter the United States and the West from increasing lethal aid to Ukraine," Haines told a US Senate hearing. "We otherwise continue to believe the President Putin would probably only authorize the use of nuclear weapons if he perceived an existential threat to the Russian state or regime."

Haines also said she believes Putin may try to deter Washington from assisting Ukraine by conducting another large-scale exercise involving intercontinental missiles, heavy bombers, or strategic submarines.