Biden Blinks: Pentagon postpones ICBM test amid tensions with Russia

The Biden administration postponed a planned test this week of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, seeking to ease nuclear tensions during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby made the announcement Wednesday, just days after Putin ordered Russian nuclear deterrent forces to be on high alert, raising fears of a nuclear war.

“Now, in this time of heightened tensions, the United States and other members of the international community rightly saw this as a dangerous and irresponsible — and as I’ve said before — an unnecessary step,” Kirby said.

“Both the United States and Russia have long agreed that nuclear employment could have devastating consequences,” Kirby added.

The postponement he added was designed to '”demonstrate that we are a responsible nuclear power,” he added.