In spite of the current conflict in Ukraine, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the military alliance will carry out its yearly nuclear drills the following week.
On the eve of a gathering of NATO military ministers on Tuesday in Brussels, Stoltenberg announced that 14 of the 30 NATO members would participate in the exercise known as “Steadfast Noon.”
He said that it was a test to make sure that our nuclear deterrence remained secure, safe, and effective.
NATO intends to conduct training missions without live ammunition using US nuclear bombs that are stationed in Europe.
The drill’s major event will take place more than 1,000 kilometers away from Russia.
“It would send a very wrong signal if we suddenly now canceled a routine, long-time planned exercise, because of the war in Ukraine. That would be absolutely the wrong signal to send,” Stoltenberg said.
“NATO’s firm, predictable behavior, our military strength, is the best way to prevent escalation,” he said.
“If we now created the grounds for any misunderstandings, miscalculations, in Moscow about our willingness to protect and defend all allies, we would increase the risk of escalation,” the NATO chief added.
