Russia Demands US Remove Nuclear Weapons From Europe
Russia demands that the US remove its tactical nuclear weapons from Europe and dismantle all infrastructure created for their storage.
Russia demands that the United States remove its nuclear weapons from Europe and return them to American territory. This was stated by the head of the Russian delegation at the NPT Review Conference, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Andrey Belousov.
The diplomat recalled that American tactical nuclear weapons deployed in Europe, namely B-61-12 aerial bombs, are associated with the risks of striking key civilian and military infrastructure facilities on Russian territory. Taking this into account, Belousov said, Moscow insists not only on the withdrawal of such weapons from Europe, but also on the dismantling of all infrastructure created for their storage.
Earlier, Belousov also stressed that, unlike American tactical nuclear weapons, Russian tactical nuclear weapons do not pose a threat to US territory, and attempts to make this issue central in nuclear arms control talks have no prospects. According to him, Russian tactical nuclear weapons do not violate the post-Soviet security equation, which remains the basis of strategic stability.
In addition, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin noted that Moscow and Minsk are ready to use the full available arsenal of means to ensure the security of the Union State, including nuclear weapons. He stressed that Russia and the Republic of Belarus continue to develop cooperation in the military and security spheres.