US CIA Director: "Threat of Russian Tactical Nuclear Deployment Cannot Be Taken Lightly"

Russia "Sweden and Finland NATO Membership Will Lead to Nuclear Deployment"
"Biden Greatly Concerned About Outbreak of World War III in Europe"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] William Burns, Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), warned that the possibility of Russia deploying tactical nuclear weapons should not be taken lightly. Earlier, Russia announced plans to deploy nuclear weapons in the Baltic Sea upon Sweden and Finland's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), raising concerns that a nuclear confrontation between the West and Russia in Eastern Europe could intensify.

On the 14th (local time), Director Burns stated in a speech at the Georgia Institute of Technology, "Considering the military setbacks Russia's President Vladimir Putin and the Russian leadership have experienced in the war so far, the possibility that Russia might deploy tactical nuclear weapons or low-yield nuclear weapons as a threat cannot be taken lightly," adding, "However, there is currently no concrete evidence to support such concerns."

This remark is interpreted as a response to nuclear threat comments made earlier by Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia's Security Council and a close associate of President Putin. Medvedev warned on his Telegram account that "if Sweden and Finland join NATO, we will strengthen defensive measures such as deploying nuclear weapons or hypersonic missiles in Kaliningrad, Russian territory in the Baltic Sea," and added, "Although such measures have not yet been taken, if we must take them, it will not be our responsibility."

Russia's continued mention of the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons near its borders is seen as an effort to deter increased sanctions pressure and potential military intervention by the U.S. and the West. It is estimated that Russia possesses over 2,000 tactical and low-yield nuclear weapons, but no threatening operational deployment has been reported since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

Director Burns also drew a line regarding direct U.S. military intervention in Ukraine. He emphasized, "President Joe Biden is deeply concerned about the outbreak of a Third World War in Europe," and noted, "This is why proposals such as establishing a no-fly zone over Ukraine or sending former Soviet fighter jets to Ukraine, as suggested by Poland, were not accepted."

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