Severe consequences for Russia if it uses nuclear weapons, Foreign Secretary says
There would be "severe consequences" for Russia if its leaders chose to use a nuclear weapon in the war with Ukraine, the Foreign Secretary has said.
James Cleverly issued the warning in the Commons after suggestions that Moscow may attempt to escalate the conflict.
He also suggested that Russian President is "exacting vengeance" on civilians in Ukraine and in low-income countries around the world for his "military failures", by targeting power stations and pulling out of a vital grain export deal.
His statement comes as newly-released British intelligence suggests that many of the soldiers Russia has deployed to the frontline in Ukraine in recent weeks are "poorly equipped", possibly with arms in a "barely usable" condition.
In the Commons, Mr Cleverly said: "The House will have noted Putin's irresponsible talk about nuclear weapons, and absurd claim that Ukraine plans to detonate a radiological dirty bomb on its own territory.
"No other country is talking about nuclear use. No country is threatening Russia or President Putin," he added.
"He should be clear that for the UK and our allies, any use at all of nuclear weapons would fundamentally change the nature of this conflict. There would be severe consequences for Russia."
Watch: Watch: A clip from September appears to show the Russian army desperately short of the basics.
James Cleverly also urged Russia to return to the table on the Black Sea grain initiative, a scheme to export grain from Ukraine to low-income countries around the world.
He said: "At the weekend Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea grain initiative, which has allowed the exportation of 100,000 tonnes of food every day, including to some of the least developed countries in the world.
"Putin is exacting vengeance for his military failures on the civilians of Ukraine by cutting off their power and water supply, and on the poorest people in the world by threatening their food supplies."
He added: "Over 60% of the wheat exported under the Black Sea grain initiative has gone to low and middle-income countries, including Ethiopia, Yemen and Afghanistan.
"It would be unconscionable for those lands to be made to suffer because of Putin’s setbacks on the battlefield in Ukraine.
"I urge Russia to stop impeding this vital initiative that is helping feed the hungry across the world and agree to its extension," he added.
Join Our Newsletter
