Putin’s Nuclear Alert Part of Russia’s ‘Battle of Rhetoric’: UK Defence Chief

Putin’s Nuclear Alert Part of Russia’s ‘Battle of Rhetoric’: UK Defence Chief
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace leaves Millbank Studios in London on Feb. 28, 2022. Leon Neal/Getty Images
Alexander Zhang
Updated:

Russian President Vladimir Putin putting his nuclear forces on high alert is just a part of the Kremlin’s “battle of rhetoric” rather than a real threat, Britain’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said.

Putin increased the readiness of Russia’s nuclear weapons on Feb. 27, citing “aggressive statements” from NATO and the financial sanctions imposed in response to his invasion of Ukraine.