One thing which I failed to mention in the thread below is that Sikorski thinks this preposterous approach is an “effective deterrent”. I cannot emphasize how disappointing this is.

What we need is a FULL ECONOMIC EMBARGO against Russia, with a food for oil program. Enough of helping Russia wage its genocidal war of extermination against the Ukrainian nation and people. Enough.

Canadian companies that import Russian titanium via Canadian sanctions waivers are enabling Putin‘s destruction of Ukraine. My thoughts for the Toronto Star today. thestar.com/opinion/contri…

Having said that, while I absolutely do not rule out Russia's use of nukes in Ukraine (including via the RU occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant), what I think is much more likely is that Russia will use a nuclear strike on a NATO nation...

Even in within Ukraine, Russia can prepare in advance to minimize the harm to itself ON UKRAINIAN TERRITORY, should it believe in the American threat. And if Russia DOES buy it, it can still go ahead. The loss to RU will not be anywhere near commensurate to the harm to Ukraine.

But beyond that, let's look at what the supposed consequence would be for Russia - Russian military targets IN UKRAINE would be struck using conventional weapons. What kind of lame deterrent is this? Russian territory will remain protected, untouched from any harm.

This shameful American position absolutely negates their responsibilities under the Budapest Memorandum. Ukraine didn't denuclearize to invite strikes by the U.S. on its own territory. The territory of the aggressor, Russia, must be targeted. This already applies today.

If accurate, it means that the red line for Russia isn't committing genocide, or creating the same outcome as nuclear attack (apart from nuclear fallout) in terms of the harm to the Ukrainian nation and people. It's everything and anything BUT nukes.

x.com/GicAriana/stat…

If this is accurate, it means that the US tolerates everything Russia has done to date. Every single war crime, act of terror, act of genocide, and the use of every single weapon, including a weapon of mass destruction when Russia blew up the Kakhovka dam unleashing hell:

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski 🇵🇱🇪🇺 says that the US has 'very decisively' informed Russia that it will use conventional weapons 'to destroy any Russian target in the occupied territories of Ukraine' if Russia launches a nuclear strike against Ukraine.

'No effective Western sanctions have been applied against Kaspersky Lab. KL can still buy equipment, train specialists, and create new products, which Russia uses against Ukraine. Restrictions imposed on Russia in the tech sector should have no exceptions, including Kaspersky.'

It does not look good.