Ukrainian expert assesses Russia’s nuclear strike threat and names China’s role
Photo: expert assesses the threat of a nuclear strike on Ukraine (Getty Images)
In Ukraine’s information space, there is an increasing number of discussions about the threat of nuclear weapons from Russia. However, whether the Kremlin is truly ready to carry out a nuclear strike remains a major question, states Ivan Tymochko, head of the Council of Reservists of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
According to Tymochko, using conventional military methods, Russia is currently unable to strike Ukraine in a way that would completely collapse the situation in the country.
"Only a nuclear strike could potentially be considered. But the question is how realistic that is," he noted.
Therefore, the expert stressed that he currently doubts the real use of nuclear weapons, even at a tactical level.
Role of China and closed-door negotiations
According to Tymochko, the topic of potential nuclear escalation may have been discussed during separate talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
The expert noted that initially, Trump held talks in Beijing during his visit to China on May 15, and on May 21, Putin also arrived in the Chinese capital. According to Tymochko, despite official statements focusing on the economy and cooperation, both visits could have involved much more sensitive issues.
"Most likely, they discussed the potential or threats of using nuclear weapons," he suggested.
Putin’s visit to China ended without the expected outcomes for the Kremlin regarding a new gas pipeline and without concrete agreements.
At the same time, according to the expert, Moscow fully understands the consequences of a possible nuclear strike. For Putin’s regime, the question of political survival remains critical, and any move beyond nuclear rhetoric could come at an extremely high cost.
"It seems that he was also made to understand that any move beyond rhetoric could be very costly," Tymochko said.
Earlier, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, told The Times that fears in Ukraine about a possible Russian nuclear strike are unfounded. However, Russia’s nuclear arsenal continues to pose a serious threat.
Meanwhile, NATO has sharply criticized Russia and China over their nuclear policy.
