Donald Trump is right to warn about Russia’s arsenal of atomic weapons, the former independent presidential candidate has said
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former independent presidential candidate, has expressed concern that the Biden administration’s aggressive policy towards Russia and its pursuit of a decisive defeat of Moscow in Ukraine could escalate into a nuclear conflict.
Kennedy’s remarks follow a debate between Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, in Philadelphia on Tuesday. During a discussion of the Ukraine conflict, Trump highlighted the threat posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s nuclear arsenal, stating, “He has got a thing that other people do not have. He has got nuclear weapons. They do not ever talk about that. And eventually maybe he will use them. Maybe he has not been that threatening. But he does have that.”
Kennedy responded on X, saying, “Trump makes a point that I hope everyone hears: Russia has nuclear weapons.”
“The Biden administration’s policy of maximum confrontation, seeking Russia’s humiliating defeat and regime change, is a recipe for nuclear immolation,” he warned.
Kennedy withdrew from the presidential race last month and endorsed Trump. A pinned message on his X page, published on Tuesday, reads: “Bottom line: No matter what state you live in, vote Trump. A Trump victory is a Kennedy victory.”
During the debate, Trump reiterated his belief that he could resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine “in 24 hours” if re-elected this November. “It is in the US’ best interest to get this war finished and just get it done. We need to negotiate a deal because we have to stop all these human lives from being destroyed,” he said.
Trump attributed the conflict’s origins to a lack of diplomatic understanding between Biden and Vice President Harris and Putin. “And it is only getting worse; it could lead to World War III.”
In June, Putin announced that Russia would update its nuclear arsenal, emphasizing its importance as the primary guarantor of national security. He warned that Russia would use all available means to defend itself if its existence were threatened.
However, Putin also acknowledged the dire consequences for humanity of any nuclear conflict. He stated that Moscow is not “brandishing” its arsenal but hopes that “it will never come to” an actual nuclear exchange.