A Former U.S Army Lieutenant General, Robert Maginnis has discussed the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the precarious situation for all parties involved. He stated that President Putin has recently redefined his nùclear doctrine, indicating that any attack supported by a nùclear power would justify his use of nùclear wèapons.
He pointed out to the recent military exercises in Belarus involving tactical nùclear weapons and similar activities in northwest Russia, indicating a serious commitment to this doctrine. While he described Putin as a rational actor, he also characterized him as hegemonic, particularly in his opposition to NATO’s expansion into Ukraine and beyond. He warned that the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO could further exacerbate the conflìct, suggesting that Western nations need to tread carefully in their responses to the situation.
He said in an interview with Fox News from 4:32, “This is a bad situation for all involved. I do believe with the Russian parliament having accepted the provinces of Eastern Ukraine as part of its kingdom. What Vladimir Putin has made very clear is that he is not going to give away anything. In fact, in the last few weeks he has redefined his own nùclear doctrine. Putin said very explicitly that an attàck backed by a nùclear state will allow him to use his weapons. He has been boasting about that for years. They have had exercises here recently in Belarus with the same tactical nùclear wèapons, he also has had exercises in the northwest part of this country talking about these things.
Putin is a rational player but at the same time he’s very hegemonic about not allowing NATO’s encroachment into Ukraine and further east. As a result, I do believe Putin will draw the line there. And unfortunately, we’ve been playing around the idea of allowing NATO membership to come to Ukraine. And that, I think, is a red line that might exacerbate the current problem.”