International Kremlin criticizes NATO nuclear weapons exercise

SDA

14.10.2024 - 14:33

ARCHIVE - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticizes NATO's annual nuclear weapons manoeuvre. Photo: Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Sputnik Kremlin Pool via AP/dpa
ARCHIVE - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticizes NATO's annual nuclear weapons manoeuvre. Photo: Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Sputnik Kremlin Pool via AP/dpa
Keystone

The Kremlin has criticized NATO's annual nuclear weapons manoeuvre as further fueling tensions over the war in Ukraine. "Against the backdrop of the hot war being waged in the Ukraine conflict, such exercises only lead to a further escalation of tensions," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Russian agency Interfax.

Peskov did not mention that Russia not only repeatedly holds maneuvers of its nuclear forces and puts its weapons on heightened alert in the conflict over Ukraine, but also threatens with missiles itself.

NATO began the two-week "Steadfast Noon" exercise to defend the alliance's territory with nuclear weapons. According to information from the headquarters in Brussels, around 2,000 military personnel from 8 air bases and more than 60 aircraft will be involved. This is also intended to send a message to Russia.

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin recently initiated a change to the nuclear doctrine, which allows the use of nuclear weapons even if Russia sees its existence threatened by the use of conventional weapons. This should deter the West from allowing the release of long-range weapons demanded by Ukraine for strikes against military targets in the Russian hinterland.

At the same time, Kremlin spokesman Peskov made it clear that Russia considers negotiations to reduce the world's nuclear weapons potential to be necessary. However, as the nuclear powers USA, Great Britain and France are currently involved in the war through their deliveries of conventional weapons to Ukraine, this is impossible. Putin had warned of a new nuclear arms race in the past and proposed talks between the largest nuclear powers on new disarmament initiatives.