Despite escalating tensions over the conflict in Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin's warnings that he will resort to all available means to defend Russia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that the alliance will move forward with long-planned nuclear exercises the following week, as per AP's report.
Every year, "Steadfast Noon," the name for the nuclear exercise, would typically last for about a week. Despite using fighter jets with nuclear warheads, there are no real bombs in this event.
The demonstration includes surveillance and refueling aircraft as well as conventional jets.
"Very Wrong Signal"
The exercise, which was prepared before Russia invaded Ukraine in February, would involve 14 of the 30 NATO member nations. According to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, the main portion of the drills would take place more than 1,000 kilometers (625 miles) away from Russia.
Stoltenberg said that it would send a "very wrong signal" if the alliance cancels a long-time planned exercise just because of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
He emphasized that this "would be absolutely the wrong signal to send."
Putin increased the stakes by annexing four Ukrainian districts and announcing a partial mobilization of up to 300,000 reservists to support the fraying front line as the Russian army withdrew from the strikes of Ukrainian soldiers equipped with Western weapons.
Putin has often hinted that he would use nuclear weapons to defend the Russian forces as they deal with battleground defeats. Additionally, the threat is intended to prevent NATO members from supplying Ukraine with more advanced weapons, according to AP.
The US responded to these threats by saying that Russia or other countries that use nuclear weapons will face "catastrophic effects".
There are no weapons in the possession of NATO as an organization. Three of the alliance's members: the US, France, and the UK, remain firmly in charge of nuclear weapons.
"Dangerous and Reckless"
Stoltenberg referred to Putin's soaring nuclear language as "dangerous and reckless" and emphasized that the allies have made it clear to Russia that using nuclear weapons in any way will have serious repercussions.
This statement comes a week after a huge explosion partially destroyed the only bridge connecting Russia and Crimea.
A fireball split the bridge in half, cutting off the most important supply line for Russian soldiers battling in southern Ukraine.
The bridge serves as the main supply route for the military connecting Russia to the Crimean Peninsula. Analysts have underlined that without it, the Russian military's capacity to supply fuel, equipment, and ammunition to Russian forces fighting in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia districts will be significantly hampered.
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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla
