US could ‘rain destruction’ on Russia with nuclear weapons if Putin invades Ukraine, senator warns

THE US could “rain destruction” on Russia with nuclear weapons if Vladimir Putin invades Ukraine, a senator has warned.

Senator Roger Wicker said he supports sending troops to the region and suggested a ground war with Russia was possible in comments to Fox News on Tuesday.

The Republican, who sits on the Senate Committee on Armed Services, was discussing defending Ukraine as Russian troops gather near the country’s border.

“Military action could mean that we stand off with our ships in the Black Sea and we rain destruction on Russian military capability,” Wicker said.

The Mississippi senator was sharing his thoughts on a two-hour call between President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin, during which Biden threatened sanctions over the situation with Ukraine.

“I hope there was a show of resolve,” Wicker said. “That we think this would be a game-changer for free Europe and something the United States and our allies cannot tolerate.”

Tens of thousands of Russian troops have reportedly descended near the Ukraine border, sparking fears of a potential conflict.

Wicker brought up the idea of a nuclear strike against Russian military power, saying, “We don’t rule out first-use nuclear action.”

He said while he doesn’t think a nuclear attack would happen, he wants all options to remain under consideration.

“There are certain things in negotiations, if you’re going to be tough, that you don’t take off the table.”

Wicker warned that Russia has “surprised the West twice,” during the 2008 invasion of Georgia, then again in 2014 with Ukraine.

“He could very well surprise us again,” Wicker said.

Newsweek reports a senior Biden official said on Monday that the US does not want a military conflict with Russia over Ukraine and hopes to deescalate the situation.

Wicker’s comments about raining destruction on Russian military capabilities came after the Fox News host asked about his Republican colleagues’ desire to see troops on the ground in the region.

A National Security Adviser said measures could include the deployment of troops to eastern European NATO allies, a move Wicker said he supports.