CIA chief says it's 'difficult' to know if Putin is 'hesitating' over nukes

MADRID, 4 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

CIA chief William Burns said Monday that it is "hard to say" whether Russian President Vladimir Putin is "hesitating" on nuclear weapons when he threatens to use them in Ukraine.

Burns has assured that it is necessary "to take very seriously any type of threats". However, US intelligence "doesn't see any practical evidence" that Putin "is getting anywhere near actual use for there to be an imminent threat."

In addition, he has expressed concern about the use of rhetoric that the Russian president "and other senior Russian leaders have used", rhetoric that he describes as "reckless and deeply irresponsible".

The director of the intelligence agency has assured that "it is very difficult to say at this time" if Putin is "hesitating" with his threats, as he stated in an interview on the US network CBS.

Given this, Burns has urged that signs of possible preparations be monitored. "This is the role of policy makers."