Putin Cornered, May Deploy Biochemical and Nuclear Options... Biden Says "Will Use More Intense Tactics" (Comprehensive)

Concerns Over Tactical Nuclear Weapons and Border Zone Nuclear Tests
"Suspend Peace Treaty Negotiations" Directed at Japan Participating in Sanctions Against Russia

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee, New York=Special Correspondent Seulgina Jo] U.S. President Joe Biden warned that Russia, which invaded Ukraine, not only launched hypersonic missiles but may also carry out biochemical weapon attacks. Some experts have raised concerns that Russia might use small tactical nuclear weapons on the Ukrainian front, raising the possibility of escalation into a nuclear war.

According to CNN on the 21st (local time), President Biden said at the Business Roundtable CEO quarterly meeting held in Washington DC that "Russia launched hypersonic missiles," and analyzed that "Vladimir Putin, cornered, did not anticipate the scale or intensity of Western unity, which is why he is using more extreme tactics."

He continued, "Russia claims that the Ukrainian government is using biochemical weapons produced under U.S. leadership," adding, "This is clear evidence that President Putin is considering the use of biochemical weapons in Ukraine." He warned that as Russian forces are stuck in a stalemate on the Ukrainian front, they may use even more dangerous weapons going forward.

Military experts warn that Russia could go beyond biochemical weapons to use small tactical nuclear weapons or conduct nuclear tests near neighboring countries' borders, thereby threatening nuclear war.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Dr. Ulrich Kuhn, a professor at the University of Hamburg and a nuclear expert at the Carnegie International Peace Foundation, said in an interview with The New York Times (NYT) that "the possibility of Russia using tactical nuclear weapons is still low but definitely increasing because the war situation is not going well," and warned, "The Putin regime might conduct small nuclear weapon tests near the Baltic Sea region to threaten neighboring NATO member countries."

Russia’s initial goal of swiftly replacing the Ukrainian government has failed, leading to what is interpreted as the activation of Plan B, which involves large-scale bombing of civilian facilities. Additional sanctions against Russia may be announced during President Biden’s scheduled European tour this week. In this case, concerns are raised that President Putin might resort to Plan C or D in response to Western sanctions.

On the same day, President Biden spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to discuss the Ukraine situation. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that Europe is considering the option of banning imports of Russian crude oil.

Within the European Union (EU), measures to prepare member states for the risk of nuclear war by encouraging stockpiling of equipment to protect against radioactive exposure are reportedly being explored. According to AFP, the EU Commission plans to secure stocks of iodine pills, other medicines, and radiation protection equipment, and encourage member states to do the same. Iodine, in particular, is classified as an essential medicine for radiation protection because it helps expel radioactive substances from the body before they accumulate.

Meanwhile, Russia announced it will suspend negotiations for a peace treaty with Japan as a countermeasure against U.S. and Western sanctions. According to TASS news agency, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated in a press release that "due to Japan’s unilateral sanctions against Russia related to the Ukraine situation, negotiations for a peace treaty with Japan are suspended." Additionally, Russia will suspend the visa-free visit agreement between the Southern Kuril Islands and Japan, signed in 1991, and will not extend Japan’s status as a sectoral dialogue partner in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).

This move is interpreted as a warning to countries participating in sanctions against Russia and as a show of force to curb U.S. and Japanese military activities in Northeast Asia. Earlier, on the 11th, Russian forces conducted surface-to-air missile drills around the Southern Kuril Islands, which the Japanese government protested.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.