Steve Holland

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The White House created a team to help plan the United States’ response to Russia using weapons of mass destruction – biological, chemical or nuclear – in its invasion of Ukraine. Senior administration officials spoke out on Thursday.

Russia raised numerous times the possibility that it might use nuclear weapons during its struggle to overthrow Ukraine’s military in the ongoing war, which the Russian government refers to as a “special operation.” The Kremlin stated this week that such weapons will only be used in cases of “existential threats.”

U.S. officials warn that Russia’s claims that Ukraine may use chemical weapons is a fabrication. It also suggests that Moscow could resort to using them given the past history.

Officials said that the White House National Security Council issued an internal memo on February 28 to all agencies to establish a strategy team to study major geopolitical changes occurring in response to Russia’s invasion. The “Tiger Team,” an internal group known as the second, is studying the next three months.

According to a U.S. official, the strategy group is “working to monitor and mitigate potential risks while also considering ways to advance and defend U.S. interest.”

According to an official, teams have been developing contingency plans to address various situations such as Russia’s possible use of biological or chemical weapons and targeting U.S. security personnel; disruptions in global food supply chains and continued responses to the refugee crisis.

According to the official, they are looking into the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons.

Although the official did not offer any speculations on what the United States would do if Russia used weapons of mass destruction to attack it, they made it clear that there would be an answer.

John Kirby, spokesperson for the Pentagon (NYSE:), stated on CNN that America must think of contingencies.

“We don’t see any sign that Russians would use weapons to destroy Ukraine. Kirby indicated that the United States would respond strongly if such a thing happened, as would the international community.

On Thursday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated in Brussels that Russia is trying to make a pretext for their actions. He accused Ukraine and its allies using chemical weapons. He said that Russia is using the allegations as a pretext to follow the lead of the U.S. officials.

Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, told reporters Tuesday that President Joe Biden was in Brussels to discuss urgent negotiations with NATO leaders and European leaders about the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons.

Ned Price, spokesperson for the State Department, told reporters Wednesday that Biden will also be discussing chemical and biological weaponry with allies.

We’ve made every effort to make it clear that chemical weapons should not be used. He said that these are chemical weapons that shouldn’t be used, and should not be on the battlefield as Russia is concerned.”