Putin escalating in unacceptable manner with nuclear high alert - U.S. ambassador to U.N

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield talks during a United Nations Security Council meeting, on a resolution regarding Russia's actions toward Ukraine, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, U.S., February 25, 2022. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

President Vladimir Putin's order to put Russia's deterrence forces, which include nuclear arms - on high alert is unacceptable escalation, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Sunday.

"It means that President Putin is continuing to escalate this war in a manner that is totally unacceptable and we have to continue to stem his actions in the strongest possible way,"

Thomas-Greenfield said in interview with CBS "Face the Nation."

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Alison Williams)