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Notes -
Not over Ukraine. Over the idea that nuclear wars are a viable means of obtaining territory. The US absolutely does not want "become part of our empire or we'll nuke you" to become a viable thing, not even if the targets are not US allies.
Because putting the threat out there baldly like that makes it more likely to happen. Why has Russia not directly threatened to nuke Ukraine if they don't surrender? They, too, have not made clear and public warnings.
The "nuclear umbrella" is a threat to use nukes in case of invasion. Use of nukes is an entirely separate proposition.
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