NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced that on October 13 the alliance will launch its annual Steadfast Noon exercises, designed to practice nuclear deterrence operations. The drills will include simulated launches of nuclear weapons.

In a video statement recorded at Volkel Air Base in the Netherlands, Rutte said that this facility will be among those participating in the exercise and confirmed that aircraft from all NATO member states will take part. According to him, the purpose of the training is to ensure that the alliance’s deterrence capabilities remain «credible and effective.»

Rutte emphasized that holding these exercises is necessary both to strengthen NATO’s strategic readiness and to send a clear message to potential adversaries. He said that the drills are intended to remind the world that the member countries of the alliance have «the will and the capability to defend all allies against any threat.»

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia does not view NATO countries as potential targets for attack and has no plans to engage in military aggression against the alliance. He described such a war as meaningless for Russia. Putin added that despite this, many Western politicians continue to instill fear in their populations with talk of a «Russian threat,» using it, in his view, to divert public attention from domestic issues.