“President Putin has openly made nuclear threats against Europe, ignoring its non-proliferation responsibilities. From now on, Russia is sending new soldiers to the front, and the Kremlin is organizing pseudo-referendums aimed at annexing Ukrainian territories… A clear violation of the United Nations Charter. The world must see these outrageous acts for what they are.”
On Wednesday September 21, Joe Biden spoke before the United Nations General Assembly, and as indicated by his remarks, relayed by the site of the American television channel CNN, he seized the opportunity to provide a sort of response to Putin’s remarks on the possible use of nuclear weapons.
In a video released on Wednesday, the head of the Kremlin had indeed declared that Moscow was ready to “utilize all means to [sa] disposal to protect Russia and [son] people”, and “those who try to [le] to blackmail with nuclear weapons must know that the wind can turn in their direction.”
“Cancel Ukraine’s right to exist”
Words that raised great concern in the West, in a context where, from September 27, the separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk and the regions of Kherson and Zaporijjia could integrate Russia following referendums (unrecognized by the international community). Once integrated into the state, these territories targeted by the Ukrainian counter-offensive would then be “protected” by Russian nuclear doctrine.
“The purpose of this war is to nullify Ukraine’s right to exist as a state, pure and simple, and the Ukrainians’ right to exist as a people,” also declared the American president during his speech at the United Nations.
Call for ceasefire from Beijing
On the Beijing side, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin also reacted to Putin’s words at a press conference. He split the following statement, relayed by the Wall Street Journal :
“We call on the parties concerned to establish a ceasefire, end the war through dialogue and negotiation, and find a way to address the security concerns of all parties as soon as possible. We also hope that the international community will facilitate the conditions.”