White House accuses Russia of talking ‘BOLLOCKS’ over claims that stoking anti-satellite nuclear panic is a ‘trick’ to get more money for Ukraine: Biden orders urgent diplomatic talks with Moscow

The White House is calling out “nonsense” about Kremlin claims that revealing Russia’s attempt to develop an “anti-satellite capability” is a way to get Congress to funnel more money to Ukraine.

Washington was shocked on Wednesday by revelations that Russia wanted to place a nuclear weapon in space.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner sounded the siren by pushing President Joe Biden’s administration to release information about what he described as a “serious threat to national security.”

During Thursday’s briefing, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby publicly confirmed that Russia was developing an “anti-satellite capability,” but would not describe whether or how it was nuclear in nature — only to say it was weapon would be used. in space and posed no current danger to people on the ground.

Kirby quickly dismissed a claim by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, who said: “It’s clear that the White House is, in some way, trying to encourage Congress to vote on a bill to spend money assigning.’

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby (left) called the Russians “nonsense” during Thursday’s press conference, after Kremlin spokesman Dmirty Peskov (right) said the US was stoking fears of space weapons to get more money for Ukraine

Peskov was referring to a supplemental funding bill that earmarked more money for Ukraine’s efforts to push back on the Russian invasion, which is currently stalled in the Republican Party-led House of Representatives.

“This is clear,” Peskov continued. “Let’s see what trick the White House will use.”

Kirby denied that with the one-word response, noting Britishism.

The NSC spokesperson also said Biden ordered a number of actions “including additional briefings to congressional leaders, direct diplomatic engagement with Russia, including with our allies and our partners, and with other countries around the world with interests in the have game.’

“We intend to engage directly with the Russians on this,” Kirby also said, adding that the US had contacted the Kremlin but the talks had not been completed.

Kirby’s briefing served as public confirmation of the “disturbing” threat.

“First, this is not an active capability that has been deployed and while Russia’s pursuit of this specific capability is troubling, there is no immediate threat to anyone’s security,” he told reporters. “We are not talking about a weapon that can be used to attack people or cause physical destruction here on Earth.”

That said, Kirby cautioned that it still represented a technology that could be problematic.

“I don’t want to minimize the risk of disruption here,” the NSC spokesperson said.

Kirby also brushed off Putin’s eyebrow-raising endorsement of Biden over his likely rival in the 2024 general election, former President Donald Trump.

“I think Mr. Putin knows very well what this administration has done to counter Russia’s malign influence around the world, and certainly what they have done within Ukraine. We have shown time and time again how willing we are to push back on what Russia is doing, again especially in Ukraine.”

‘Mr. Putin should just stay out of our elections,” Kirby added.