White House warns of risk Russia may consider nuclear weapons, no indication of 'imminent use'
The White House reiterated its warning Friday that there is a risk Russia may consider the use of nuclear weapons, but there are no indications of an "imminent use of nuclear weapons."
"I've been clear myself, President Biden has been clear, the administration has been clear that there is a risk given all of the loose talk and the nuclear saber rattling by Putin, that he would consider this and we've been equally clear about what the consequences would be," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.
Asked if the threat was higher now than it was at the start of the invasion of Ukraine, Sullivan wouldn't characterize a risk level, but noted that "the risk has been there from the start."
Sullivan added, "What's interesting is that at various points over the course of this conflict, including right at the outset, Putin has brandished the nuclear card. He's doing it again."
Asked by ABC's Terry Moran about Vladimir Putin's speech Friday, accusing the U.S. and the West of values equal to "Satanism" and attacking "liberal values," Sullivan said, "its raving."
-ABC News' Terry Moran and Justin R. Gomez




