Russian Strategist Warns of Nuclear Escalation if Europe Continues Ukraine Support

A prominent Russian foreign policy strategist has issued a stark warning, stating that Russia would eventually resort to nuclear weapons if European countries continue their support for Ukraine. Sergei Karaganov, honorary chairman of Russia's Council for Foreign and Defence Policy, suggested that such escalation would occur if Europe refused to surrender.

Karaganov told the BBC that Russia would first employ conventional weapons, but if Europe persisted in its backing of Ukraine and the ongoing conflict, "unfortunately, we will have to go nuclear." He added, "There will be little left of some European countries."

He also expressed skepticism about the likelihood of retaliation from the United States or the United Kingdom, asserting that neither country would be "crazy" enough to launch nuclear strikes against Russia in response.

These statements come as Moscow intensifies its demands for European nations to cut off military and financial aid to Kyiv. Karaganov indicated that Russia is increasing its attacks to degrade Ukraine's capacity to function as a sovereign state.

The strategist's remarks align with recent escalations in tensions between Russia and European nations. Western officials have accused Moscow of engaging in a pattern of cyber-attacks, sabotage, and drone incursions targeting European interests. An example cited is a drone carrying an explosive device found near Ukrainian cargo planes at Leipzig airport in Germany.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has previously accused Europe of waging war against Russia, pointing to the supply of British and European weapons to Ukraine, which he argued Moscow was justified in targeting. This narrative frames the conflict as a broader European confrontation with Russia, despite Russia's initiation of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

The threats of nuclear escalation also follow a separate warning from Russia to NATO, in which Moscow stated it was prepared to use nuclear weapons if NATO attempted to blockade Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave situated between Poland and Lithuania. Russia's diplomatic note to NATO described the alliance's actions as a "dangerous and reckless course" with "high risks of the outbreak of a direct armed conflict."

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte responded by reiterating the alliance's defensive nature and urging Russia to cease its nuclear threats, calling them "absolutely not called for and not helpful." In its written response, NATO stated that its activities do not threaten Russian territory and called on Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine and refrain from "irresponsible nuclear rhetoric."