Russian Talk of Short War With Europe Linked to Nuclear Deterrence, Analyst Says

Recent Russian statements about a short war with Europe are tied to nuclear deterrence, according to Mahmoud al-Afandi, a Moscow-based writer and political researcher.

Al-Afandi said the remarks came against the backdrop of what Moscow regards as growing threats from countries belonging to NATO.

His assessment places the Russian language within the context of deterrence, rather than treating talk of a brief conflict separately from the nuclear issue.

The distinction is central to his reading of the statements: Moscow’s perceived security threats and its messaging on nuclear deterrence are closely connected.