WASHINGTON: Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, indicated on Friday that Russia may resort to nuclear weapons if its invasion effort falters, echoing CIA director William Burns’ remarks.

While discussing the threat, Zelensky stated that Russia had “begun to speak about… nuclear weapons or some chemical weapons” and that “all of the world” should be concerned.

“They could do it, I mean they can,” he told CNN. “For them, life of the people is nothing… let’s not be afraid — be ready.”

Putin may use a tactical or low-yield nuclear weapon, according to Burns, who warned on Thursday that Russia’s battlefield defeats upped the stakes.

On February 24, the Kremlin stated that Russian nuclear forces were on high alert; the United States, however, had not observed any unusual nuclear movements.

The “escalate to de-escalate” notion of using a small nuclear weapon to retake the initiative in a conflict is part of Russian military doctrine.

Joe Biden “deeply concerned about avoiding a third world war, about avoiding a threshold in which nuclear conflict becomes possible,” said Burns.

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