European Union will close airspace to Russia and fund military equipment to Ukraine, US calls the activation of Putin’s nuclear alert system as unacceptable
As Russia’s assault on Ukraine reached into its second largest city, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was putting nuclear forces on high alert, the EU announced unprecedented new actions against Moscow.
Putin’s order to make his nuclear weapons more ready for launch – made Sunday in response to “aggressive statements” by leading NATO powers and economic sanctions by the West – represent an unnecessary and dangerous move, according to the Pentagon.
A senior Defense Department official said Russia is under no threat from the United States and its NATO allies. The Pentagon is confident it can protect the United States and its allies, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.
President Joe Biden, who has spent the weekend in Wilmington, Delaware, has spoken with his national security team regularly Sunday to receive updates on Russia and Ukraine, according to the White House.