President Biden: 'First time since the Cuban missile crisis, we have a direct threat of the use nuclear weapons'

Arabnews24.ca:Thursday 6 October 2022 10:18 PM: US President Joe Biden has said the world is facing the biggest threat of nuclear "Armageddon" since the days of President Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Speaking at a Democratic Party fundraiser in Washington, his 'off camera' comments were overheard by journalists from the White House pool.

Describing Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Biden said he had "got to know the guy pretty well".

"He's not joking when he talks about potential use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons because his military is you might say significantly underperforming."

And he made it clear his concerns that if such weapons were deployed it would quickly escalate into world nuclear conflict.

"First time since the Cuban missile crisis, we have a direct threat of the use nuclear weapon if in fact things continue down the path they are going," he said.

"I'm trying to figure out what is Putin's off ramp?… Where does he find a way out? Where does he find himself in a position that he does not not only lose face but lose significant power within Russia?

"We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis."

He added: "I don't think there's any such thing as the ability to easily (use) a tactical nuclear weapon and not end up with Armageddon.

"I didn't realise how much serious damage the previous administration did to our foreign policy."