A journalist who works on Russia’s government-run television station sent a harsh statement to the United States during a recent on-air rant, warning that his nation’s military had the capacity to obliterate America.
“Russia is the only country in the world that is realistically capable of turning the United States into radioactive ash,” said Dmitry Kiselyov, on his weekly television show, the New York Post reported.
The backdrop of his statements was the Obama administration’s threat to take some type of action if Russia goes forth with its annexation of Crimea.
Mr. Kiselyov was personally chosen by Russian President Vladimir Putin to head up the state-run news outlet, the New York Post reported. His inflammatory rhetoric had a visual component: He made the statement while standing before a photograph of a mushroom cloud.
The White House responded to Crimea’s vote to secede with a blunt condemnation, calling it a violation of international and Ukrainian law and criticizing it as a result of “threats of violence and intimidation” by Russia.
“Russia’s actions are dangerous and destabilizing,” the White House said in a statement reported by the New York Post.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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