Russia to hold nuclear drills amid possible NATO deployment to Ukraine
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The exercise will be conducted “in the near future” and was ordered by President Vladimir Putin.
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Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov looks on prior to Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to his campaign HQ after a presidential election in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, March 17, 2024. (AP)
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed in a statement Russia's decision to conduct tactical nuclear weapons drills after remarks by certain NATO countries regarding the potential deployment of their troops to Ukraine.
The exercise will be conducted “in the near future” and was ordered by President Vladimir Putin, according to the Defense Ministry.
This comes after a “new” and “unprecedented” escalation of the situation, Peskov added.
“They talked about the readiness and even the intention to send armed contingents to Ukraine, that is, to actually put NATO soldiers in front of the Russian military,” Peskov said.
”This is a new round of escalation of tension, and it is unprecedented. It requires special attention and special measures,” he noted.
The Spokesperson on Friday already labeled the suggestion as "dangerous". He further pointed out the fact that this is not the first time France has made such a proposal.
This also follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's admission that the situation on the frontline with Russia is deteriorating, pointing fingers at the West for its “limited” military assistance.
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Speaking to the Ukrainian nation on April 14, he said, "The situation on the front during a hot war is always difficult. But these days – and especially in the Donetsk areas – it’s getting harder."
From provocation to action
On its part early Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry blamed “provocative statements and threats against Russia by certain Western officials” for the planned exercises in which missile forces from the Southern Military District will be directly partaking.
The goal is to iron out “the practical aspects of the preparation and deployment of non-strategic nuclear weapons,” it said.
This comes hours after Ukrainian MP Aleksey Goncharenko thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for adding to the table the possibility of deploying Western troops to Ukraine during an interview for French broadcaster LCI.
Macron suggested the possibility earlier “if the Russians were to break through the front lines [and, second,] if there were a Ukrainian request.”
Goncharenko viewed Macron’s comments as a “very good signal” to Russia, noting that foreign troops deployed in Ukraine could be assigned to train Ukrainian troops, alongside other tasks, without engaging with Russian forces directly.
The representative, when asked if Ukraine would call in Western reinforcements if Russia approaches Kiev or Kharkov, said, "Yes, I think it is possible… If the frontline situation shows us that Ukraine cannot stop [Russian President Vladimir] Putin alone without European military support and troops, this is absolutely possible."
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