Putin’s Apocalyptic End Game in Ukraine
Foreign AffairsOct 06, 2022
Day 226 Roundup: Zelenskyy Calls for 'Preventative' Strike, Biden Warns of Nuclear 'Armageddon'
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The Facts
Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday appeared to call for NATO allies to launch a nuclear first strike against Russia: "What must NATO do?" he said. "I am once again turning to the international community as I did before 24 February. Preventative strikes, so that they [Russia] know what will await if they use [a nuclear weapon]. Not the other way round."
Serhii Nykyforov, Zelenskyy's Press Sec., claimed the Ukrainian leader was referring to "preventative sanctions," but this suggestion was rejected by Russian representatives. On Friday, Russian FM Sergei Lavrov said Zelenskyy's comments "essentially presented the world with further evidence of the threats posed by the Kyiv regime. This is why a special military operation was launched to neutralize them."
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia has consistently reaffirmed that there are no winners in a nuclear war and that such a conflict must never be unleashed. America is whipping up a frenzy with its nuclear rhetoric and anti-Russian aggression.
Establishment-critical narrative
While the West focuses on Putin's alleged willingness to unleash nuclear Armageddon, they appear unfazed by what seems to be an overt call from Zelenksyy for a first strike. This only further highlights their clear double-standards.
Nerd narrative
There's a 7% chance that at least one nuclear weapon will be detonated in Ukraine Before 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
