WASHINGTON, October 18. /TASS/. The Pentagon admits that there are no signs of Russia preparing to use nuclear weapons, but assures that it is ready to respond to such step by engaging the US deterrence potential, Pentagon spokesman Brigade General Patrick Ryder said during a briefing Tuesday.
He was asked if the Pentagon can assure the Americans that the US military are ready to respond to a potential use of nuclear weapons by Russia.
"We are completely ready," Ryder said. "We continue to monitor the situation very closely. In the meantime, we have not seen anything that would indicate that Russia has made a decision to employ nuclear weapons. Others [other officials] have communicated that there would be consequences."
He refrained from naming what consequences will follow exactly.
"We stand to watch 24/7 and we would be prepared if we had to respond," the spokesman assured. "We maintain a very robust strategic deterrence capability and have for many, many years; we work very closely with our allies throughout the world to provide deterrence.".