U.S. Department of State: We are assessing President Putin’s directive and at this time are comfortable with our strategic defensive posture

US officials on Monday called Russian President Vladimir Putin's order to mobilize his nuclear forces "dangerous" but said they had not seen any indication of any change in the country's strategic threat.

A State Department spokesperson told Europetime in a statement:

„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.

We think provocative rhetoric regarding nuclear weapons is dangerous, adds to the risk of miscalculation, should be avoided, and we will not indulge in it. We are assessing President Putin’s directive and at this time are comfortable with our strategic defensive posture. Throughout this crisis, Russia has falsely alleged that it is under threat – including from Ukraine and from NATO.
 
Neither the United States nor NATO has any desire or intention for conflict with Russia. We are unwavering in our commitment to extended deterrence and confident in our ability to defend ourselves and our allies“.

Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia's military to put its deterrence forces, which include nuclear weapons, on "special alert". He told defence chiefs it was because of "aggressive statements" by the West, amid widespread condemnation of his invasion of Ukraine. According to BBC the announcement does not mean Russia intends to use the weapons. The US immediately condemned his decision, calling it an "unacceptable escalation".