The West will act “very rapidly and very harshly” if Vladimir Putin uses nuclear weapons, Ukraine’s UN envoy warned tonight.
Sergiy Kyslytsya, the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, sent the warning to Russia in his first UK interview.
He told LBC Radio’s Tonight with Andrew Marr: “President Putin acts by his own choice, he hardly listens to his advisors… So it is very difficult indeed to say whether he may or may not order to use tactical nuclear weapons.
“I think the probability of using tactical nuclear weapons is higher than other types of nuclear weapons.
“Some people hope that not everyone around him is crazy as he is and even if he orders to use tactical nuclear weapons, they may be sabotaged by the chain of command. It’s very difficult to say.
“But if it happens, the retaliation by the West, I understand, will be very rapid and very harsh.”
It comes after Boris Johnson said Britain’s Army could come to the aid of Sweden or Finland if Russia attacks the countries for applying to join Nato.
The Prime minister visited the two countries today to sign security partnerships which will share intelligence on military exercises and technology.
Asked if it could mean British boots on the ground, Mr Johnson replied: “In the event of a disaster or an attack on either of us, then yes we will come to each others’ assistance - including with military assistance.
“The nature of that assistance will of course depend on the request of the other party.”
Stockholm is expected to lodge an application within days for membership of the 30-nation alliance, following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
Coalition leaders are due to discuss any bid at their summit in Madrid next month.
But the potential move raised fears of retaliation by Moscow before Sweden formally joins and enjoys the protection of NATO’s Article V collective defence clause, which states that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
The Kremlin has threatened to respond if Sweden applies to join the alliance.
Russia is accused of committing war crimes in its assault on Ukraine, with bodies found in mass graves in Bucha.
Vladimir Putin has repeatedly hinted at the country’s nuclear weapons arsenal, with the UK warning he would be “outgunned and outnumbered” in response.
