Why Russia Hasn't Used Nuclear Weapons, According to a Former US Ambassador to NATO.

Russia's Nuclear Strategy Under Scrutiny

According to Espreso.tv: In a recent interview, Lieutenant General Douglas Lute discussed the state of Russia's nuclear policy, suggesting that Moscow has refrained from deploying tactical nuclear weapons despite suffering significant military setbacks. Lute argued that the Russian regime has not crossed the so-called nuclear threshold because none of its battlefield defeats have triggered such a response. He also emphasized that President Putin received a clear warning from the United States not to cross that nuclear line.

Events That Could Have Sparked Escalation

Over the past four years, Moscow has faced several situations where it might have considered using tactical nuclear arms. These include:

• the withdrawal of the Black Sea Fleet from Sevastopol;
• the collapse of Russian forces during Ukraine's 2022 counteroffensive in the Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions;
• and combat operations on Russian soil in the Kursk region.

Yet, according to Douglas Lute, none of these events led to the deployment of nuclear weapons.

Lute also pointed out that horizontal escalation is already occurring across Europe. This situation has raised concerns among international partners, as the threat from the Russian regime remains pressing. Thomas Nilsson, head of Swedish military intelligence, stated:

“The Russian regime will remain a threat to its neighbors long after Putin's term ends.” — Thomas Nilsson

The international community continues to closely monitor Russia's nuclear policy, as any escalation could have severe consequences not only for the region but also for global security. In light of Lute's recent comments, Western nations are likely to further strengthen their defensive positions and strategic alliances to deter potential threats from Moscow. How events unfold in this domain will be a critical factor in international politics over the coming years.