Russia: Jeffrey D. Sachs shares concerns on nuclear escalation
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Vladimir Putin may target British overseas territories if he decides to look beyond Ukraine. Officials fear the Russian President would target Gibraltar in the event of a nuclear exchange. Western nations are increasingly concerned that Russia is prepared to unleash nuclear “Armageddon” on the world.
US President Joe Biden recently warned that Putin is prepared to launch nuclear weapons, having said last week that the premier was “not joking” when speaking about the prospect.
His fears are reflected in Europe, according to the Spanish digital newspaper Republica.com, as Spanish President Pedro Sánchez fears Putin will “include Spain in his possible military targets”.
Spanish authorities have warned a military base on the island of Gibraltar would rank amongst Russian targets in Europe.
The British Army operates Gibraltar as its permanent joint operating base for UK operations in Europe, the only one of its kind.
Gibraltar is well-placed to observe shipping channels in the region and would become tactically vital in the event of war.
The British Army states it would “dominate” the “western entrance to the Mediterranean”, preventing aggressor nations from effectively deploying in the region.
The base also provides communication systems, aircraft runway facilities, and a harbour that makes it an “important base” for NATO members.
Republica claimed the Spanish President also fears Putin would target a joint military command on its territory.
The Spanish Navy hosts the Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, another base at the gateway to the Mediterranean Sea.
The 6,100 (9.5-mile) base sits in Cádiz and supports US and NATO forces in the area.
Naval units transitioning the region receive and drop off cargo, while refuelling and retaining logistics support.
NAVSTA Rota also hosts the US-led missile defence shield – a group of six American missile destroyers – equipped with surface-to-air missiles, sophisticated radar technology and anti-submarine rockets.
While other European leaders remain sceptical that nuclear war is on the horizon, Volodymyr Zelensky has echoed President Biden.
In an address to Ukraine on Saturday, October 8, he warned of a possible escalation from Russia.
Speaking English, he told viewers that Russian officials have begun to “prepare their society”, adding this is “very dangerous”.
President Zelensky conceded that, while Putin is not yet considering nuclear conflict, the communication is there.
He said: “They are not ready to do it, to use it. But they begin to communicate.
“They don’t know whether they’ll use or not use it. I think it’s dangerous to even speak about it.”
Speaking through a translator in Ukrainian, he said Russia would not use weapons as the country’s “people in power like life”.
He added: “The risk of using nuclear weapons is not that definite as some experts say, because they understand that there is no turning back after using it, not only the history of their country, but themselves as personalities.”
Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.
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