Russia's Nuclear Threats Against US Should Be Taken 'Seriously,' But Likelihood Is 'Very Low'

A former U.S. lieutenant general has warned that Russia's threats of using nuclear warheads should be taken seriously, adding that Moscow does not care whether innocent people are killed in their attacks.

However, retired army Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, who served as the commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, said he believes the likelihood of Russia using nuclear weapons is "very low," arguing that Moscow is aware using nuclear warheads "will not give them any battlefield advantage."

"I'd say we take them seriously because they do have thousands of nuclear warheads, and they clearly do not care how many innocent people are killed. But the likelihood of them using a nuclear weapon, I think, is actually very low," he said in an interview with VOA News published Wednesday.

"It won't change things on the ground, will not make them better for Russia. But if they do use nuclear weapons, then it's going to be over for the Russian Black Sea Fleet and for the Russian forces in Ukraine. And I think the Russian General Staff knows this," Hodges added.

Hodges' interview comes as the U.S. accused Russia of violating a key nuclear arms control agreement by refusing to allow inspection activities of its nuclear facilities.

"Russia is not complying with its obligation under the New START Treaty to facilitate inspection activities on its territory. Russia's refusal to facilitate inspection activities prevents the United States from exercising important rights under the treaty and threatens the viability of U.S.-Russian nuclear arms control," a State Department spokesperson was quoted as saying by CNN.

Washington also accused Moscow of failing to perform its obligation of convening a session of the Bilateral Consultative Commission to discuss renewing the pact and other related topics.

Russia had initially scheduled a meeting in November 2022 but abruptly called it off, blaming Washington's toxic anti-Russia behavior as the reason for pulling out of the nuclear arms talks. Moscow has so far refused to set a new date for the meeting.