Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated Friday that Russia should use nuclear weapons out of desperation as its invasion falters, echoing feedback by using CIA director William Burns.

Asked about the hazard, Zelensky stated “all the international” need to be worried that Russia “commenced to speak about… Nuclear guns or some chemical guns.”

“They could do it, I mean they could,” he informed CNN. “For them, life of the people is not anything… Allow’s not be afraid — be ready.

Burns said Thursday that Russia’s battlefield setbacks raised the risk that President Vladimir Putin could deploy a tactical or low-yield nuclear weapon.

The Kremlin said it had placed Russian nuclear forces on high alert shortly after the assault began February 24, but the United States says it has not seen any sign of unusual nuclear movements.

Russian navy doctrine includes the “strengthen to de-strengthen,” principle of launching a small nuclear weapon to regain the initiative in battle.

US President Joe Biden is “deeply concerned about avoiding a third world war, about avoiding a threshold in which nuclear conflict becomes possible,” said Burns.