Russia sent a very clear signal to NATO by announcing a nuclear exercise. And there is a false assumption in the West that Russia will never, under any circumstances, use nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
This is what Russian expert on nuclear weapons Nikolay Sokov told table.media, focus.de reported. The Russian expert sees Moscow's announcement that it will allow its nuclear forces to practice using nuclear weapons as a "signal to NATO". He warns of dangerous dynamics and possible escalation.
„Such studies have happened before, but they have not been made public. In this regard, public disclosure is more important than the exercise itself,” said Sokov, who helped sign several nuclear weapons treaties as an official of the Soviet and Russian foreign ministries and is now an analyst at the Vienna Center for Disarmament.
He commented on what he called frivolous assumptions, “which are becoming more and more popular in the West”, that Russia will not use nuclear weapons “under any circumstances” or that “foreign forces on the territory of Ukraine will enjoy some kind of immunity”. This is absolutely wrong – they will be a priority target and this could cause a serious escalation, the expert is categorical.
„We are unexpectedly entering a phase reminiscent of the Cuban Missile Crisis,” added Sokov. The EU has already strongly criticized the planned nuclear weapons exercises. “This is a continuation of Russia's irresponsible behavior and further proof that the Kremlin is only interested in further escalation of the situation,” said a spokesman for the EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell in Brussels.
Against this backdrop, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country wants to avoid escalation, but Russian forces are ready for war. “Russia rejects the claims of exclusivity of any countries or alliances,” said the Russian President during today's May 9 parade. “Russia will not allow anyone to threaten it, its strategic forces are always ready”, he also said, pointing out that “Russia will do everything to prevent a global collision”.