Thread by @DarylGKimball

Let's get real Anatoly #Antonov @RusEmbUSA It is @KremlinRussia_E who has issued threats of nuclear weapons use and started a war that raises the risk of nuclear annihilation. Russia cannot have it both ways and claim to be a "responsible" nuclear actor when it is clearly not. 1/

@RusEmbUSA @KremlinRussia_E It is #Putin who has issued nuclear threats to shield Russia's aggression against a nonnuclear, democratic, independent state, raised the alert levels of Russian forces, overseen an ICBM flight tests, and authorized Russian state TV to air simulations of attacks on Europe. 2/

@RusEmbUSA @KremlinRussia_E Fortunately, and so far, Biden and NATO have not matched Russia's nuclear taunts and have taken the threats seriously and have made it clear they do not want U.S. and NATO forces involved in the conflict in Ukraine, but will act to help Ukraine defend its people and territory. 3/

@RusEmbUSA @KremlinRussia_E Nevertheless, as result of Putin's premeditated attack on Ukraine. the world faces a heightened risk of nuclear war. If Russian and NATO/U.S. start fighting in Europe, the risk of nuclear escalation is real and would start w/the use of short-range, tactical nuclear weapons. 4/

@RusEmbUSA @KremlinRussia_E Once and if nuclear weapons are used in a conflict between nuclear-armed adversaries, the level of destruction would not only become massive, but there is no guarantee the nuclear war could be "limited." The fog of war is thick; the fog of nuclear war would be thicker.

@RusEmbUSA @KremlinRussia_E This "PLAN A" simulation depicts what might happen if Russia or US used nukes in a war in Europe. An initial volley of “tactical” detonations, could escalate and lead to a massive exchange of long-range n-weapons. > 91m would likely die within hours:

@RusEmbUSA @KremlinRussia_E In the current, heightened state of nuclear danger, it is even more important that Russian, NATO, and U.S. leaders take steps to avoid nuclear escalation. A cease fire, a Russian withdrawal from Ukraine, and an end the war would be ideal. Until then other steps are critical. 7/

@RusEmbUSA @KremlinRussia_E So Amb. Antonov, it is not enough for the leaders of nuclear-armed states to declare that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must not be fought.” Much more is necessary to prevent nuclear catastrophe and eliminate the threats posed by nuclear weapons and nuclear war. 8/8