The political rhetoric that preceded Moscow’s announced nuclear weapons drills
On May 6, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced that it was beginning preparations for exercises ordered by President Putin to “enhance the combat readiness of Russia’s non-strategic nuclear forces." Moscow says these drills are a response to “provocative statements and threats” against Russia “from certain Western officials.” Putin’s spokesman later clarified that the administration has in mind comments by French President Emmanuel Macron about the potential deployment of NATO troops inside Ukraine, as well as statements on the same topic by members of the U.S. Congress and “British representatives.” Meduza breaks down this escalation over the past few months.
Ruling out nothing
President of France
There is no consensus at this stage to send troops on the ground. Nothing should be excluded. We will do everything that we must so that Russia does not win. [...] [E]verything is possible if it is useful to achieving our objective.
An inevitable conflict
Kremlin press secretary
In this case [of sending troops], we should talk not about the probability but about the inevitability [of a conflict]. That's how we assess it.
No plans for troops
Jens Stoltenberg
NATO secretary-general
NATO allies are providing unprecedented support to Ukraine. We have done that since 2014 and stepped up after the full-scale invasion. But there are no plans for NATO combat troops on the ground in Ukraine.
Until the dinner bell rings
President of France
Not ruling something out doesn't mean doing it. You are standing in front of me right now, not at home at your dining table. But you don't rule out that at some point you will sit down to eat at your dining table because you need to eat.
Ruling out nothing, redux
President of France
If the Russians were to break through the front lines, if there were a Ukrainian request [to intervene militarily] — which is not the case today — we would legitimately have to ask ourselves this question. So, I think to rule it out a priori is not to learn the lessons of the past two years.
Ukraine can fire our weapons inside Russia
British foreign secretary
Ukraine has that right [to use the weapons provided by London to strike targets inside Russia]. Just as Russia is striking inside Ukraine, you can quite understand why Ukraine feels the need to make sure it's defending itself.
Fight ’em there or we’ll have to fight ’em here
U.S. House Democratic leader
We can't let Ukraine fall because if it does, then there's a significant likelihood that America will have to get into the conflict — not simply with our money, but with our servicewomen and our servicemen. [...] Are we to believe that in the face of this kind of consistent aggression, that if we allow Vladimir Putin to succeed in Ukraine, that he's only going to stop in Ukraine? Of course not.
Please and thank you
Ukrainian prime minister
If the time comes, we will be absolutely grateful, and we will be glad [to welcome additional troops from NATO countries].
Ready the tactical nukes
By order of the supreme commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces, [...] the General Staff has begun preparations for conducting exercises in the near future with missile units of the Southern Military District, involving aviation and [Russia’s] naval forces. The exercise will include a series of activities for practical training in the preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons. The exercise is aimed at maintaining the readiness of personnel and equipment [...] in response to provocative statements and threats from certain Western officials towards the Russian Federation.
A special response to the West’s special remarks
Kremlin press secretary
If you’re asking me which statements by Western representatives we’re talking about, obviously, it concerns Mr. Macron's statement and statements from British representatives. If I’m not mistaken, a representative from the U.S. Senate [sic] has joined them. They talked about readiness and even intentions to send armed contingents to Ukraine, that is, effectively to put NATO soldiers in front of Russian military forces. This is a completely new level of escalating tension. It’s unprecedented, and it requires special attention and special measures.