Joe Hockey agrees with Joe Biden’s nuclear Russian war prediction

A dramatic letter from a global advisory firm has revealed the chance of Putin deploying nuclear weapons in his war with Ukraine.

Former Treasurer Joe Hockey has revealed talks with international leaders have led him to believe there’s a sizeable chance of nuclear war in the near future.

The one-time Australian ambassador in Washington made the comments in a letter to clients of his advisory firm Bondi Partners on Monday.

It followed US president Joe Biden’s similar warning which predicted Vladimir Putin would use nuclear weapons in the months ahead to bolster his army’s worsening efforts in Ukraine.

“There is now a 30 per cent chance Vladimir Putin will deploy limited nuclear weapons in an attempt to consolidate the Russian position in Ukraine,” Mr Hockey told clients in the letter seen by The Australian.

Joe Hockey, former Ambassador of Australia to the United States, also runs an advisory firm. Picture: Britta Campion / The Australian

“There is no bigger risk to world peace and the global economy than what is unfolding in Ukraine at the moment. We are on the precipice of a significant moment in modern history.”

Mr Hockey went on to note how the state of Russia’s military capabilities could lead to a dire outcome if they came to light, according to conversations he has had with leaders in London and Washington.

“Estimates of corruption are so high in the Russian military, that up to 80 per cent of Russia’s assumed high end technology is ineffective,” he said.

“This has gutted the capability of the Russians and, if widely known in Russia, would lead to significant civil unrest.”

Bondi Partners has been contacted for comment.

Similarly, Mr Biden last week said the US’ current nuclear threat is the biggest since 1962.

“We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis,” he said at a reception for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

However, The White House later clarified it has no indication Russia is imminently preparing to use nuclear weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin renewed his threats of war last month.

Last month Putin renewed threats he made when Russia’s invasion in Ukraine began in February.

“If the territorial integrity of our country is threatened, we will certainly use all the means at our disposal to protect Russia and our people,” he said in a televised national address, adding, “I’m not bluffing.”

More than 300,000 troops have been called up after Russia’s military suffered continued setbacks in Ukraine.