The UK Prime Minister has said Russia's threat to use nuclear weapons is 'irresponsible rhetoric'.

Earlier this week, after the US administration granted Ukraine approval to use American ATACMS missiles, Putin made changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine.

These new conditions state that Russia would consider using nuclear weapons against strikes from a non-nuclear state that is backed by a nuclear state, like the US.

At the G20 Summit of World Leaders in Rio de Janeiro last night, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Vladimir Putin's threat to use nuclear weapons is "irresponsible rhetoric".

"For the third year running, Putin did not attend this summit," he said.

"He is the author of his own exile.

"On Day 1,000 of Russia's illegal war in Ukraine, I say again: End the war. Get out of Ukraine."

Mr Starmer reiterated the UK's support for Ukraine and said he won't be deterred by threats of nuclear weapons.

Nuclear threats

Earlier this week, Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko told Newstalk Breakfast that she is not concerned about Putin's nuclear threats.

"We see in practice that nuclear threats are made in words, not in action," she said.

Ms Vasylenko said she does not fear an escalation of violence because there is "nothing worse that Russia can hit Ukraine with".

"Every day is an escalation for Russia," she said.

"Russia choses when to escalate on their own whim and when they have accumulated enough missiles to launch massive attacks on Ukraine, like the one of two days ago.” 

Winter

As the war continues, Ms Vasylenko said Ukraine is looking ahead to a dangerous winter.

"Some areas of the country do not have heating and some areas of the country are subject to power cuts," she said.

"There are power cuts across all cities, including Kyiv."

Ms Vasylenko said the country will not be able to survive without an energy conservation track, which is already in place.

Feature image: Keir Starmer, 23/09/2019, Alamy.