Putin's Nuke Threat Does Not 'Concern' Top House Intelligence Democrat

Russian President Vladimir Putin's latest threat to use nuclear weapons amid the war in Ukraine does not worry Representative Jim Himes, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

Himes said during an interview with CNN's Erin Burnett on Wednesday night that he was "less concerned" about Putin using nukes despite the Russian president saying during a state media interview on Tuesday that he was "ready" to use the weapons if the Ukraine war threatens "the existence of the Russian state."

The Context

Putin said during his state television interview that Russia's nuclear forces were "constantly in a state of combat readiness," while suggesting that the weapons could be used if he feels that his country's sovereignty is being threatened.

"We are ready to use weapons, including any weapons—including the [nuclear] weapons you mentioned—if it is a question of the existence of the Russian state or damage to our sovereignty and independence," Putin said.

It is unclear whether or not Ukraine defeating Putin's invasion would be considered a threat to Russian sovereignty. Putin's remarks this week were far from the first time he has leveled a nuclear threat, with the Russian leader having brought up the possibility multiple times since the war began.

Western observers have largely dismissed the threats, arguing that Putin is simply saber-rattling and is unlikely to start a global war.

What We Know

Burnett asked Himes whether he was "concerned" that Putin could "cross that line" and use nuclear weapons, given his recent threat.

"You know, I'm less concerned now," Himes responded. "And the reason I'm less concerned is that, first of all, I think collectively the government believes that he would not use nuclear weapons unless he thinks that his own survival—his own personal survival, and his own regime survival—was at stake."

"We're obviously a long way from there." he continued. "There's a lot of reasons why he may be doing what he's doing right now ... The man has an election coming up. Now, I don't think he's going to lose that election, but pre-election people say crazy things."

Himes went on to suggest that Putin's previous remarks suggesting that he could use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine were met with "very strong messages" urging him to stand down from China and India, which he called "the two countries that are allowing him and his economy to survive."

Views

Newsweek reached out for comment to Putin's office via email on Wednesday night.

While Putin has hinted at the possibility of using nuclear weapons on multiple occasions, his allies in the Russian government and proxies in state media have used the threat far more frequently.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, a close Putin ally who now serves as deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, suggested earlier this year that Ukraine's air attacks on Russian territory were grounds to transform the conflict into a nuclear war, claiming that such a move would be covered under the "right to self-defense."

During a state television discussion with Kremlin-back propagandist Vladimir Solovyov this month, Russian weather forecaster Evgeny Tishkovets argued that "the weather is ideal for conducting nuclear strikes against NATO countries."

Mark Voyger, former special adviser to Lieutenant General Ben Hodges while he served as commander of U.S. Army Europe, previously told Newsweek that the "nuclear component is one of the most important within the context of Russia's information and hybrid warfare."

"They use different channels to convey these threats," Voyger said. "Sometimes they're thinly veiled; when it comes from the Kremlin itself they want to maintain plausible deniability. But then they allow outlets such as some of the media channels and some politicians who are known as loose cannon-type personalities."

What's Next?

While the course of the Russia-Ukraine war may play a role in any immediate possibilities of Moscow using nuclear weapons, the threat itself is unlikely to disappear even after the war, due to ongoing tensions between Russia and the West.

Russia and the U.S. have recently invested in modernizing their nuclear arsenals, with Putin boasting during the state television interview this week that Russia's nuclear triad is more "advanced" and "more modern than any other triad."