US registers resolution on Russia's use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine: 'It Would Be War With NATO'

The US Senate has registered a resolution proposing that if Russia uses nuclear weapons in Ukraine to try to stop a counter-offensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, such an attack should be considered an attack on NATO itself.

Democrat Richard Blumenthal and Republican Lindsey Graham registered the proposal.

Executive Summary

The US Senate has introduced a resolution proposing that any radioactive contamination of NATO territory caused by Russia, Belarus or their proxies be considered an attack on the alliance.

The resolution was introduced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal in relation to Russia's deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and the uncertain situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine, which is currently under Russian control.

The senators propose that the use of tactical nuclear weapons or the destruction of a nuclear facility leading to radioactive contamination of NATO member states should trigger Article 5, which treats an attack on one NATO member as an attack on all.

The resolution seeks to deter Russia by clarifying the dire consequences of such actions.

Key points

Unprecedented: For the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia has withdrawn its nuclear weapons beyond its borders, which is seen as a significant threat to global security.
Potential consequences: The situation at the Russian-controlled ZNPP is unpredictable. Any nuclear facility destruction that would lead to radioactive contamination of NATO territories would be seen as an attack on the alliance.
Deterrence strategy: The resolution seeks to deter Russia by explaining the severe consequences of using tactical nuclear weapons or inflicting radioactive contamination, leading to a "massive response" from NATO and a state of war.

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We believe that nuclear weapons used in Ukraine will cause radiation to be released over large areas in Europe where NATO allies are located, Graham told a congressional press conference, quoting US President Joe Biden as saying that the threat of Russia using nuclear weapons is real.

Graham expressed concern over Russia's deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus, calling it a provocation.

He also said that the threat of Russia using nuclear weapons is the highest since the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the best way to prevent it is to explain to the Russians the consequences of such actions clearly.

Our message to those around Putin is that if you do this, if you follow his orders, if he ever gives them, you can expect a massive response from NATO and you will be at war with NATO," Graham added.

As the Ukrainians make more progress on the battlefield and reclaim their land, Putin will be tempted to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine or blow up Europe's largest nuclear power plant in Zaporozhye, Senator Blumenthal said.

Either of these actions would have devastating consequences not only for the Ukrainians but also for neighbouring NATO countries. Poland is in direct danger. Because the use of tactical nuclear weapons or the destruction of a nuclear power plant would spread radiation and would almost certainly harm people," said the Democratic lawmaker.

This is not some irresponsible or alarmist resolution, it's based on fact and science and it's designed to send a message to Vladimir Putin and his military: they will be destroyed, they will be ejected, if they use tactical nuclear weapons or destroy a nuclear power plant in a way that threatens the surrounding NATO countries." Article 5 (NATO's collective defence charter) exists for a reason. It not only protects against soldiers crossing the border specifically, but the damage done to our NATO allies triggers our obligations when it comes to enemy force.

The occupiers have mined and may blow up the Zaporizhzhia NPP. What is the consequence of it

Unfortunately, there is in fact a certain threat today. Once again I say definitely. Because the Zaporizhzhya NPP has been and still is under control of the occupation troops", Kirill Budanov, Head of the Main Directorate of Intelligence, said during a TV marathon.

He noted that because the Russians destroyed the dam of the Kakhovska HPP, they destroyed normal water access to the coolers at the Zaporizhzhya NPP.

By destroying the dam, they destroyed normal water access to the cooler at Zaporizhzhya NPP. But the scariest thing is that the ZNPP was additionally mined. And the worst thing is that the cooling pond was mined. If they put it out of action, there is a high probability that there will be considerable problems, - emphasized the head of the SDPP.

They found that the radiation could first hit the south of Ukraine, particularly Kherson and Zaporizhzhya, and then spread throughout the entire territory of Crimea. Next, radiation across the Black Sea could move to the southwestern part of the planet, affecting at least five countries: Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Moldova and Romania.

The State Agency for Exclusion Zone Management noted in August 2022 that in case of a terrorist attack at the ZNPP, the exclusion zone of about 30,000 square kilometres would become uninhabitable and uneconomic for the next 100,000 years.

Two million people would have to be resettled. Ukraine could experience a release of radioactive caesium in amounts dangerous to all life, which would contaminate soil and water.

Depending on the weather, radioactive substances may spread to Europe, Belarus, or Russia.

The consequences will depend on the speed and direction of the wind," the head of the All-Ukrainian Environmental League, Tetyana Tymochko, warned.

According to her, in case of a terrorist attack on the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant (ZNPP), the possible consequences could be similar to the devastating consequences of accidents at the Japanese Fukushima nuclear power plant and the US Three Mile Island nuclear power plant.

Possible consequences of a terrorist attack at a ZNPP include:

• An exclusion zone of approximately 30,000 square kilometres.

• Contamination of an area of about 2 million square kilometres.

• Uninhabitable area of the Zaporizhzhya region for hundreds of years.

• Potential radiation contamination of up to one million people.

• Loss of life of tens of thousands of people due to radiation contamination.

• Pollution of Dnieper, Black and Azov seas.

• Potential contamination of citizens of neighbouring countries.

We shall remind you that Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after a meeting with representatives of the Ukrainian intelligence service that the Russian occupants had prepared everything for a terrorist attack. Ukraine has handed over all the evidence to its partners.

There has just been a report from our intelligence service and the Security Service of Ukraine. Intelligence has received information that Russia is considering a scenario of a terrorist act at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant. a terrorist act with the release of radiation They have prepared everything for this. Unfortunately, more than once I had to remind you that radiation knows no national boundaries and only the wind direction determines whom it will hit. We pass on all available information to our partners - everyone in the world. All confirmations. Europe, America, China, Brazil, India, the Arab world, Africa - all countries, absolutely everybody, need to know this. Everything. There must never be any terrorist attack on nuclear power plants, anywhere. This time it must not be like in Kakhovka: the world is warned, it means the world can and must act," said the President.