Democratic Congressman Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, shared insights on the latest U.S. intelligence assessment regarding potential nuclear threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The assessment suggests that Putin could resort to using nuclear weapons if he faces challenges in achieving decisive victories in Ukraine.
Congressman Himes expressed a level of reassurance, noting that the consensus within the government is that Putin would only consider using nuclear weapons if his personal and regime survival were at stake, a scenario deemed distant at present. He highlighted various reasons behind Putin's current actions, including recent remarks by French President Macron about the possibility of NATO troops in Ukraine, likely influenced by upcoming elections.
Regarding Putin's potential use of tactical nukes in Ukraine, Congressman Himes mentioned strong messages from China and India, key economic partners of Russia, cautioning against such actions. He also echoed sentiments shared by Alexei Navalny's wife, Yulia, suggesting that Putin's election victory should not be recognized by the U.S. due to his track record of violating international law.
Congressman Himes emphasized the importance of passing a supplemental package in Congress to support Ukraine's defense efforts by ensuring a continuous supply of ammunition. He acknowledged the responsibility of the U.S. in aiding Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression and stressed the need for ongoing support.
