UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace discusses Ukraine in US visit

Talks come amid increasing concerns over Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons in conflict

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is in Washington as Russian threats towards Ukraine persist. AP

Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is visiting Washington this week as the war in Ukraine continues to escalate.

He has met National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to discuss sending Kyiv additional security assistance, as Russia steps up missile strikes against the Ukrainian capital and as Russian President Vladimir Putin threatens nuclear war.

“They discussed ongoing efforts to support Ukraine, including through the provision of security assistance, and the importance of transatlantic co-operation and regional security in light of Russia’s continued brutal attack on Ukraine,” the Pentagon said in a statement late on Tuesday.

Both Washington and London have enacted sweeping sanctions on Russia while also rushing aid and weapons into Ukraine, with the US sending $17.6 billion in assistance since Russia's February 24 invasion.

Mr Putin last month suggested that he is ready to resort to using nuclear weapons to protect Russian territory. Paired with Moscow's internationally rejected referendums used to justify annexing four Ukrainian territories, those threats are becoming increasingly high risk.

The Russian leader declared martial law in the annexed territories on Wednesday, which could involve restrictions on travel and public gatherings, tighter censorship and sweeping authorities for security forces.

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  From left, Moscow-appointed head of Kherson region Vladimir Saldo, Moscow-appointed head of Zaporizhzhia region Yevgeny Balitsky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, leader of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin, and leader of the Luhansk People's Republic Leonid Pasechnik during a ceremony to sign an annexation agreement with Russia in Moscow. AP

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  Russians gather for a celebration after the ceremony in central Moscow. EPA

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  People gather near a screen showing Mr Putin during a broadcast of the ceremony. Reuters

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  Mr Putin speaks during the ceremony to sign the treaties for the new territories' accession to Russia at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow. EPA

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  Law enforcement officers stand guard as people walk towards Red Square to attend the ceremony marking the annexation of the Russian-controlled territories. Reuters

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  Participants listen to Mr Putin at the ceremony in the Georgievsky Hall of the Great Kremlin Palace in Moscow. Reuters

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  Honour guards attend the ceremony. Reuters

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  Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu arrives at the ceremony. AP

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  People walk towards Red Square in Moscow. Reuters

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  People gather in front of screens located near the Kremlin before the live broadcast of the ceremony. Reuters

“We are completely ready,” Brig Gen Patrick Ryder, spokesman for the Pentagon, said on Tuesday when asked if Washington was prepared for a nuclear scenario in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, calling Mr Putin's threats “reckless.”

Mr Putin's nuclear threats are “irresponsible, particularly given the security situation in that region of the world and elsewhere”.

“And so. it's something that we'll continue to keep a close eye on in the meantime. We have not seen anything that would indicate that Russia has made a decision to employ nuclear weapons,” he added.

The US Defence Intelligence Agency’s Worldwide Threat Assessment in 2021 stated that Russia probably possesses 1,000 to 2,000 nonstrategic nuclear warheads.