Lavrov: Russia cannot accept US nuclear weapons in Europe
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The Russian Foreign Minister also warned Russia does everything it can to ensure Ukraine does not acquire nuclear weapons.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
The deployment of US nuclear weapons in Europe, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, is intolerable for Moscow.
Lavrov claimed that, given the current scenario, it is critical to avoid a new round of the arms race, and that Russia is calling on the US and its allies to join a moratorium on the deployment of short- and intermediate-range missiles in Europe.
During a video conference on Disarmament in Geneva, Lavrov said "It is unacceptable for us that, contrary to the fundamental principles of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, US nuclear weapons are still present on the territory of some European countries."
Lavrov also chastised the practice of non-nuclear NATO nations participating in "joint nuclear missions," which he claims include scenarios of nuclear weapon use against Russia.
He added that it is "high time the US nuclear weapons are returned home, and the infrastructure in Europe related to them be completely dismantled."
Russia will do all possible to keep Ukraine from obtaining nuclear weapons, according to Lavrov.
He stated that Kiev's declarations about acquiring nuclear weapons aren't just empty rhetoric because Ukraine possesses Soviet nuclear technology and delivery mechanisms.
The foreign minister also proposed that Western nations refrain from building military bases in former Soviet republics that are not NATO members.
Yesterday, Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Russia's nuclear deterrent forces are on the ground, in the air, and on submarines are on standby alert duty with additional troops deployed.
