“We reserve the right to nuke you pre-emptively.”
Of course you do, but its impolite to talk about it.
Historical point. Faced with the USSR’s land capabilities for invading Europe during the cold war, the US never denounced a pre-emptive strike policy despite the USSR’s call to do so. Sure, the USSR claimed they would denounce a pre-emptive strike if the US did, and could have turned around and lauched one but the US never denounced one either. In fact the US has always toyed with theater wide/tactical nuclear exchanges idea. Thats kinda why Europe was so anti nuke during the 80s before the curtain fell. They didnt want the US to nuke the ruskies to hell and back in their own their own countries. Anyone remember Carter’s nixing the neutron, the “we won’t cause too much destruction” bomb?