The threat of nuclear blackmail may increase in proportion to Ukraine’s accomplishments on the front. Nevertheless, the west should not fall into panic, said the head of NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence Jānis Sārts.
We are happy to hear of Ukraine’s accomplishments on the battlefield, but let’s not forget – the worse the situation is for Kremlin, the more nuclear blackmail there is. People should prepare for that not not fall for it, he wrote on Twitter.
He adds that nuclear blackmail has proven itself as a failed measure, but this does not mean Russians will stop using it.
«The only thing that, perhaps, slows the whole process is Russia’s current strategy – them acting that nothing special is happening. But it won’t last long and they will have to admit things are going bad on the front. And we can safely conclude we will see more blackmail,» said Sārts.
It is safe to assume nuclear blackmail could be aimed at the west. «If they were clever, they would understand it didn’t work in Ukraine. This is why their only hope would be aiming at the west,» added Sārts.
When asked how the west should act to resist this blackmail, Sārts said the west should make it clear to Russia «whatever happens and whatever actions Russia takes, there will be a response».
At the same time, this blackmail should not be allowed to affect the discourse in the west and decisions in regards to support of Ukraine.
«We must not agree to slow support to avoid panic about them taking any actions,» warned Sārts.
As previously reported, on the night to 29 August Ukraine commenced a counter-offensive operation. Many military analysts consider it the biggest response to the Russian invasion since the start of the war.
According to the chief of the press center of the operational headquarters of the Ukrainian army South Natalia Gumenyuk, Russian forces on the right bank of Dnipro River are prepared to lay down their arms and are looking for contacts with Ukrainian army.
Also read: Ukraine has retaken 3 000 square kilometers of its territory since September