Internally, NATO is coordinating how it would react to a possible nuclear strike by Russia. Federal Defense Minister Lambrecht warns against playing down the threat. The defense alliance will start its deterrence exercise shortly.
On the fringes of a NATO meeting, Federal Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht warned against taking Russia’s nuclear threats in the Ukraine war lightly. “It is very important that we take the threats made by Russia very seriously and that we adapt accordingly,” said the SPD politician in Brussels. That’s why it’s very important to exchange information within NATO and think about how to react to it.
Lambrecht did not want to comment on the details. “I ask for your understanding that we also make such votes in internal, secret committees,” she explained. But you can say that you are prepared.
The Russian threats to use nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine were to be the subject of a meeting of NATO’s so-called Nuclear Planning Group (NPG) this morning. According to information from alliance circles, it should also be about the NATO nuclear weapons strategy and plans to modernize the current infrastructure.
In addition, a briefing on the annual maneuvers to defend Alliance territory with nuclear weapons was planned. According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Steadfast Noon deterrence exercise is scheduled to begin next week.
Russia recently annexed four occupied Ukrainian territories in violation of international law. President Vladimir Putin, among others, announced that they would defend it with all available means. In doing so, the Kremlin chief fueled concerns that Russia could use so-called tactical nuclear weapons with a limited range on the battlefield.
