Deeply sorry to hear about Ash Carter’s passing. In addition to a long and distinguished record of public service, Carter was always generous with his time and insight. My sincerest thoughts and prayers go to his family.

2 football dads watching our sons 🏈

Asked about the planning, John Kirby, NSC coordinator for strategic communications, said that although the US hasn't seen anything that has changed US strategic posture, 'We’re watching this as closely as we can…We take these threats seriously.”

New: US has been developing contingencies for Russian escalation in Ukraine, including its potential use of tactical nuclear weapons. Also of concern: a “nuclear display” such as strike on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant or detonation away from populated areas. cnn.com/2022/10/03/pol…

It’s becoming a chorus: “We need to take more drastic measures, incl declaring martial law in the border territories & using low-yield nuclear weapons. There is no need to make every decision with the Western American community in mind,” Ramzan Kadyrov, Leader of Chechen Republic

“By claiming territory that he doesn’t fully control, I fear Putin is painting himself into a corner that he might one day feel he can escape only with a nuclear weapon.” - ⁦Thomas L. Friedman⁩ nytimes.com/2022/09/30/opi…

New: Russian forces retreated from Lyman, a strategic city for its operations in the east, the Russian defense ministry said Saturday, just a day after Moscow’s annexation of the region that’s been declared illegal by the West.

Notable: European security officials on Mon & Tue observed Russian Navy support ships in the vicinity of leaks in the Nord Stream pipelines likely caused by underwater explosions. ⁦Katie Bo Lillis⁩ ⁦Natasha Bertrand⁩ ⁦Kylie Atwood⁩ report cnn.com/2022/09/28/pol…

“Of course, we do,” says Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly to Jim Sciutto about the need to plan for the possibility that Putin uses nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

Watch #ACFrontPage : ➡️ bit.ly/3CnRep6

“We are in favor of their accession to NATO,” says Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly about #Ukraine .

Watch more from the #ACFrontPage discussion with Jim Sciutto today: bit.ly/3CnRep6

JUST IN: White House's Jake Sullivan says Ukraine's NATO bid 'should be taken up at a different time'

Given the alliance’s mutual defense commitment, this would put the US and NATO in direct military conflict with Russia

New: Ukrainian President Zelensky says his country is applying “under an accelerated procedure” to become a member of NATO. He signed Ukraine’s application together with Speaker of the Parliament and Prime Minister.

Notable:

Zelenskyy said any referendums and annexations would be the end of negotiations. Putin was well aware of this. And everyone can see through his sham attempt at diplomacy.

Note he says: “forever”:

'I want the Kyiv authorities and their real masters in the West to hear me. For everyone to remember. People living in Luhansk and Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are becoming our citizens. Forever,' Putin said.

I’ve repeatedly reported both the annexations and referenda as shams. This is quoting the Kremlin. The point here is that Moscow will *claim* these areas as annexed and potentially escalate accordingly.

🇨🇦 TODAY
🕒 3:00 pm ET

What role will Canada play in continuing to aid Ukraine and maintaining Western pressure on Russia?

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly speaks with Jim Sciutto about Ukraine, NATO, and more!

✍️ Register for the #ACFrontPage : atlanticcouncil.org/event/a-conver…