I do not see the use of chemical and biological weapons by Russia, says professor

The professor of International Relations at Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado (Faap) Lucas Leite said, this Wednesday (23), in an interview with CNNwhich does not currently observe the use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons by Russia against Ukraine.

“The cost of this type of weaponry would naturally escalate the conflict. I don’t know if at this point, even with this impasse in relation to the control of Kiev, if Putin would use this type of weapon, because in fact war is expensive and has these problematic issues in relation to supplies, demand for food, weapons and stuff. of the type. However, a large part of the country, at least the part that most interests Russia, is already under control”, says Leite.

“War includes all possibilities, and when you think of nuclearized states or those with chemical and biological weapons, these weapons are also on the table as options, but they are weapons whose use depends on something urgent, an existential threat effectively. That would only happen if Russia felt compelled to have to use them,” he continues.

I do not see at this moment the use of chemical and biological weapons, and even less nuclear weapons, because naturally there would be an escalation of the conflict.

Lucas Leite, professor of International Relations at Faap

President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, in a statement to CNNlast Tuesday (22), repeatedly rejected ruling out that Russia would consider the use of nuclear weapons, against what Moscow saw as an “existential threat”.

When asked under what conditions Putin would use Russia’s nuclear capability, Peskov replied: “If it’s an existential threat to our country, then it could be.”

According to Leite, the main battles for the Russians today are in the city of Mariupol, for control of access to the Black Sea and for having an important port for the Ukrainians, and in Kiev, for control of the country’s capital.