Merkel describes Russia's nuclear capabilities as 'frightening'
The former German chancellor emphasized that the parties involved in the Ukraine conflict must do “everything possible” to avoid the use of nuclear weapons. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
“Everything possible” must be done to prevent the use of atomic weapons, the former German chancellor has said.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged that all parties involved in the Ukraine conflict take every measure necessary to avert the use of nuclear weapons.
Recently, Russia revised its nuclear doctrine and launched a new medium-range hypersonic missile in Ukraine last week as a reaction to Western nations permitting Kiev to utilize foreign-made long-range weapons for strikes deep inside Russian territory.
Merkel, who held the office of German chancellor from 2005 to 2021 and recently released her memoirs, expressed her concerns during an interview with the BBC. She recognized Russia's military capabilities.
“We shouldn’t be paralyzed by fear, but we must also acknowledge that Russia is the biggest, or alongside the US, one of the two biggest nuclear powers in the world. The potential is frightening,” Merkel stated.
“We must do everything possible to prevent the use of nuclear weapons,” she added.
Merkel commended China for its calls for restraint regarding the issue, following a statement from the country’s Foreign Ministry asserting that “all relevant parties need to remain calm” and “jointly seek de-escalation… through dialogue.”
Russia's revised nuclear doctrine permits a nuclear response to a conventional attack by a non-nuclear state that is supported by a nuclear power, exemplified by missile strikes on Russian territory.
In recent days, Ukraine has executed several strikes utilizing US-made ATACMS and HIMARS systems, as well as British-made Storm Shadow missiles. France has also granted approval for Kiev to employ French SCALP-EG cruise missiles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked that these attacks have escalated the Ukraine conflict to a global level. Moscow claims that Kiev's military forces cannot operate such weapons without assistance and intelligence from the West.
In retaliation to the strikes with Western arms, Moscow targeted a military industrial facility in the Ukrainian city of Dnepropetrovsk on Thursday, deploying its newly revealed Oreshnik nuclear-capable ballistic missile equipped with a conventional warhead.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged that all parties involved in the Ukraine conflict take every measure necessary to avert the use of nuclear weapons.
Recently, Russia revised its nuclear doctrine and launched a new medium-range hypersonic missile in Ukraine last week as a reaction to Western nations permitting Kiev to utilize foreign-made long-range weapons for strikes deep inside Russian territory.
Merkel, who held the office of German chancellor from 2005 to 2021 and recently released her memoirs, expressed her concerns during an interview with the BBC. She recognized Russia's military capabilities.
“We shouldn’t be paralyzed by fear, but we must also acknowledge that Russia is the biggest, or alongside the US, one of the two biggest nuclear powers in the world. The potential is frightening,” Merkel stated.
“We must do everything possible to prevent the use of nuclear weapons,” she added.
Merkel commended China for its calls for restraint regarding the issue, following a statement from the country’s Foreign Ministry asserting that “all relevant parties need to remain calm” and “jointly seek de-escalation… through dialogue.”
Russia's revised nuclear doctrine permits a nuclear response to a conventional attack by a non-nuclear state that is supported by a nuclear power, exemplified by missile strikes on Russian territory.
In recent days, Ukraine has executed several strikes utilizing US-made ATACMS and HIMARS systems, as well as British-made Storm Shadow missiles. France has also granted approval for Kiev to employ French SCALP-EG cruise missiles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin remarked that these attacks have escalated the Ukraine conflict to a global level. Moscow claims that Kiev's military forces cannot operate such weapons without assistance and intelligence from the West.
In retaliation to the strikes with Western arms, Moscow targeted a military industrial facility in the Ukrainian city of Dnepropetrovsk on Thursday, deploying its newly revealed Oreshnik nuclear-capable ballistic missile equipped with a conventional warhead.
Camille Lefevre contributed to this report for TROIB News
