US President Joe Biden said on Monday it was “clear” that Russia is considering using chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine, warning that such a move would prompt a “tough” Western response.
“He’s got his back against the wall,” Biden said of Russian President Vladimir Putin, pointing out that Moscow recently accused the United States of possessing chemical and biological weapons in Europe. “It’s just wrong. I guarantee it,” he insisted during a meeting with American business leaders in Washington.
“They (the Russians) also claim that Ukraine has chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine. It is a clear sign that he (Vladimir Putin) plans to use these two types of weapons,” he continued.
The American president thus reiterates a warning issued earlier this month after Russian officials accused Ukraine of trying to hide a supposed chemical weapons program supported by Washington.
“Now that Russia has issued its false accusations and China appears to be embracing this propaganda, we must monitor any possible Russian use of chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine,” White House spokeswoman Jen warned. PSAKI on Twitter.
Joe Biden repeated on Monday that the use of such weapons would expose Moscow to “severe” retaliation from Western powers, without specifying their nature.
Vladimir Putin “knows that there will be severe consequences because of the united front of NATO”, he warned, without further details.
Mr. Biden also assured to have warned his Russian counterpart of a strong American response in the event of cyberattacks against the vital infrastructures of the United States.
“We had a long conversation about the consequences if he engaged” in cyberattacks, said the American president in reference to a summit with his Russian counterpart last year in Geneva.