Vladimir Putin may use nuclear weapons to 'strike terror' amid setbacks in Ukraine, expert warns

Rose Gottemoeller, former deputy secretary of NATO (2016-2019), has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin might use nuclear weapons to overcome recent setbacks in Ukraine.

Putin could use nuclear to 'strike terror'

Gottemoeller told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that 'the momentum is clearly on the Ukrainian side at this moment', as reported by The Independent. As a result:

I fear they will strike back now in really unpredictable ways and in ways that may even involve weapons of mass destruction.

The former senior US diplomat continued:

​​He [Putin] might put in play a nuclear demonstration strike, either a single strike over the Black Sea or perhaps a strike at a Ukrainian military facility in order to strike terror not only into the hearts of the Ukrainians but also the global partners and allies of Ukraine.

'A lot closer to it than before'

Similarly, John Bolton, former National Security Adviser under President Donald Trump (2018-2019), also spoke about the risk of nuclear weapons on Cats at Night on WABC radio on Monday 12 September. He said, as reported by The Independent:

Where we are now after this Ukraine success in the north is not that point. But it is a lot closer to it [the use of nuclear weapons] than we’ve been before.

However, Bolton, also former United Nations ambassador under President George W Bush, said that 'the potential risk of the use of a nuclear weapon is not so much to change the battlefield but to strengthen Putin’s position at home'. Indeed, Putin has been urged to resign by municipal deputies in Moscow.

Bolton also believes there’s 'no chance' that Russia will surrender as 'that would be a signal of weakness'. He added:

This defeat is significant enough that it will have political effects.

It comes as Ukrainian nuclear plant Zaporizhzhia has been put into a cold shut down to prevent a potential nuclear disaster after being occupied by Russian forces and subject to shelling, as reported by Reuters.

Sources used:

- The Independent: 'Russia may use nuclear weapons after Ukraine setbacks, senior Nato and US officials warn'

- The Independent: 'Ex-national security adviser warns nuclear war with Russia is ‘a lot closer’ than it was'

- Reuters: 'Explainer: The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant's shutdown'

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