US Defense Secretary Warns of Global Nuclear Proliferation Concerns if Putin Wins Ukraine War

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warned that if Russia wins the war against Ukraine, there is a global concern over nuclear proliferation. It is analyzed that other authoritarian countries might follow Russia's example of threatening to use nuclear weapons and seek to acquire nuclear capabilities.

According to AFP on the 19th (local time), Secretary Austin said in a speech at the Halifax International Security Forum held in Canada, "Vladimir Putin's dictator friends in Russia are watching the war," adding, "They may conclude that possessing nuclear weapons will give them a 'hunting license.'"

Secretary Austin expressed concern, saying, "This could lead to a dangerous vicious cycle of nuclear proliferation," and "Russia's invasion signals the possibility of tyranny and a chaotic world." The concern is that if Russia, which is threatening to use nuclear weapons while attacking Ukraine, wins the war, other authoritarian countries might take it as an example.

This statement is interpreted as referring to the recent situation where North Korea has heightened tensions by threatening to use nuclear weapons and launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Although Secretary Austin did not directly link North Korea in his remarks, considering North Korea's alignment with Russia, it is seen as an indirect expression of concern about North Korea.

Secretary Austin also expressed concerns about China's actions alongside Russia. He pointed out, "China is pursuing a world where power makes right, like Russia," and "Chinese aircraft are conducting threatening flights near the Taiwan Strait almost daily, and incidents of dangerously obstructing the U.S. or allied forces at sea and in the air are increasing."

Secretary Austin said, "We are leveraging the lessons from Ukraine to strengthen the self-defense capabilities of our Indo-Pacific partners," and "We are helping them become more agile and resilient."

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