Russia has claimed that US military strategists are seriously considering the possibility of using nuclear weapons on the battlefields of Europe. The country’s Foreign Ministry’s special envoy Andrei Belousov has said that the international community should pay its main attention to the US nuclear weapons deployed in Europe and Washington’s new nuclear missile program.

The Russian Foreign Ministry’s special envoy made these comments in an interview with Russian media outlet RT.

Belousov claimed that the US initiative to start international discussions on Russia’s ‘non-strategic’ or non-strategic nuclear weapons is basically an attempt to divert international attention from the risk of US nuclear weapons deployed in Europe.

He said that the US is insisting on starting discussions on Russia’s non-strategic nuclear weapons in various multilateral disarmament forums. However, he claimed that these weapons do not pose a direct threat to the US mainland.

Belousov said, “US military strategists are seriously considering the possibility of using nuclear weapons in the European theater of military operations.”

According to the Russian diplomat, the main concerns are the US nuclear weapons deployed in Europe, Washington’s nuclear missile program and future plans.

However, Belousov did not reveal any specific US military plans, documents or intelligence information in support of this statement. As a result, it is being considered a political and diplomatic demand of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Belousov also criticized the concerns of the US and Western countries about Russia’s non-strategic nuclear weapons.

He said that if detailed information about Russian nuclear weapons is collected through discussions on these weapons, strict monitoring systems are introduced to increase transparency, or these weapons are reduced, then the possibility of the US and European allies using nuclear weapons may increase.

He commented that the situation could be even more risky if Russia’s non-strategic nuclear weapons are completely eliminated.

Belousov said that if more information about Russia’s nuclear capabilities is revealed through negotiations, it could give the United States and its European allies more leverage over possible military action. For this reason, Moscow sees such initiatives as a security risk.

Moscow warns Europe

Warning European countries, Belousov said that the United States should realize the real risks of its policy of using the territory of its allies.

He described the US policy as a “purely pragmatic” or practical approach. According to him, Washington is using the territory of allies outside its territory as part of military plans, which could directly endanger European countries in the event of a conflict.

Moscow’s latest warning comes amid tensions between Russia and the West over the war in Ukraine and disputes over nuclear arms control.

According to experts, Russia and the United States have long had disagreements over nuclear arms control, strategic stability and the security architecture of Europe. Tensions have increased since the Ukraine war. As a result, international concerns about the possibility of nuclear weapons being used are also emerging amid conflicting statements by both sides.

Source: TASS