U.S. Denounces Putin Nuclear Alert Level but Says U.S. Nuclear Posture Unchanged

March 1, 2022 (EIRNS)—White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki denounced Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order, issued on Feb. 27, to heighten Russia’s nuclear alert, calling it “provocative rhetoric,” as announced on Sunday, but said that the U.S. posture has not been changed in response. “We are assessing President Putin’s directive and, at this time, we see no reason to change our own alert levels,” she said. “But it’s also important to remember that, even over the course of the last several months and years, when we have had significant disagreements with Russia over a range of issues, Russia and the United States have long agreed that nuclear use would have devastating consequences and have stated many times, including earlier this year, that a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.”

“So we have not—had seen reason to change our alert levels, and we are—see obvious, significant danger in escalatory rhetoric,” she concluded.

At the Pentagon, spokesman John Kirby confirmed that the U.S. nuclear posture remains unchanged. Secretary of Defense Austin, he said, “is comfortable with the strategic deterrent posture of the United States and our ability to defend the homeland, our allies, and our partners.”

Earlier in the day, a senior defense official (the same one who briefed on Saturday), told reporters that the U.S. has seen no changes in the movements of Russian nuclear forces.