US White House Considers Military Intervention if Russia Uses Nuclear Weapons... Discusses Emergency Plan Establishment

White House Convenes Special Issue Resolution TF 'Tiger Team'
"Considering Russian Nuclear Weapon Use as Military Intervention Red Line"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The White House is reportedly discussing the establishment of emergency plans in preparation for Russia's potential use of nuclear weapons, and direct military intervention could be considered if Russia actually uses nuclear weapons, according to The New York Times (NYT). Concerns about escalation are growing as the possibility arises that a cornered Russia might make the extreme choice of using nuclear weapons.

On the 23rd (local time), the NYT reported, "The White House recently convened a so-called 'Tiger Team,' an emergency task force formed within the National Security Council to address special issues, and is discussing the establishment of emergency plans in preparation for Russia's use of nuclear weapons." The report added, "At the Tiger Team meeting formed on the 28th of last month, options such as setting the red line for U.S. military intervention at Russia's use of nuclear weapons were discussed."

A senior U.S. government official told the NYT, "Even if Russia uses small tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine without targeting NATO allies, there is no option for the U.S. and NATO to avoid intervening in the war." However, the official remained tight-lipped about the details of the response measures the U.S. might take if Russia uses nuclear weapons, the NYT reported.

Another official said, "President Joe Biden is eager to keep U.S. forces from intervening in the Ukraine war, but it is a misunderstanding to think that he is not closely examining the thresholds that could trigger intervention." The official added, "If such a threshold is crossed in any way, President Biden would reverse his current stance."

So far, the U.S. and NATO have been supplying weapons to Ukraine but have refrained from direct intervention due to concerns about escalation from direct clashes with Russia. However, as the Russian military struggles and the war prolongs beyond expectations, the next choice for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who needs to restore his pride, could be the use of nuclear weapons. This is the concern facing the Tiger Team, according to the NYT.

U.S. officials are particularly worried about the possibility that Russia might use small tactical nuclear weapons with less destructive power than the atomic bombs dropped on Japan during World War II. Earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov hinted at the possibility of nuclear weapon use in an interview with CNN on the 22nd, stating, "Russia's national security concept stipulates the use of nuclear weapons if the existence of the state is threatened."

Dmitry Medvedev, Vice Chairman of the Russian Security Council and known as a close aide to President Putin, also posted on Telegram on the 23rd, saying, "The U.S. is trying to destroy Russia," and warned, "If pressure on Russia continues, the world could be swept into a nuclear catastrophe."

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