Letter to the Editor / NUKES

By Roger C. Kostmayer

Neither Russians nor Ukrainians want nuclear or chemical weapons of any kind to be used.  Virtually all nations agree and would condemn any country that uses them, especially if they were used to win an unprovoked invasion of a neighbor.  The US and NATO are unified and preparing precise and devastating responses should Putin commit nuclear or chemical war.

Putin may be evil or crazy, but experts agree he’s not stupid.  He is aware that crossing that red line would gain him nothing.  To the contrary, it would assure that Putin would lose everything, and do it more quickly.  Even though Putin may feel desperate about losing the terrible assault he initiated, and so misjudged every step of the way, it’s unlikely he would suddenly become stupid and unaware.

Specifically, the US and NATO would destroy Russia’s inept military and its economy, and assure Ukraine’s ultimate victory- if Putin uses a nuke.  Putin desperately needs external support, and China and India are critical for him.  Those two countries would reject any nation that uses nukes.  Similarly, Putin and Russia would become even more of pariahs.  Neither will nukes cause courageous Ukraines to suddenly surrender, especially when they are winning on the ground every day.  And finally, the  number of Russians leaving and rebelling, while the Russian military is abandoning equipment and running away instead of fighting, would increase dramatically. These losing facts would increase dramatically if nukes are used. And Putin understands all these realities. 

So, where and how would there be a significant reward or a Putin victory based on the use of nukes?

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