The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has launched military exercises in Southern Europe that include the scenario of the start of a nuclear war.
According to the statement issued by NATO today, Monday, the maneuvers are taking place with the participation of 14 countries, without giving their names.
He pointed out that the maneuvers were launched today under the name Steadfast Noon, in which conventional warplanes and nuclear-powered aircraft will participate.
The statement stressed that these exercises help to ensure that NATO's "nuclear deterrence" remains safe and effective.
He added that the maneuvers, which were launched today, are a routine and recurring training activity, not related to any events in the world, and are scheduled to last 7 days.
This year's maneuvers coincide with Russia's announcement, today, Monday, to end the work of its mission to NATO on the first of next November, and to end the work of its military mission soon, against the background of NATO withdrawing the accreditation of Russian diplomats with it.
It is also taking place in conjunction with the launch of major military exercises led by Russia near the Tajik-Afghan border, with the participation of 5,000 soldiers.
The leaders of NATO countries agreed - at their summit last June - on a new defense project and an agenda for the alliance by 2030, and the speech of the Secretary-General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, focused on the need to confront the challenges posed by China and Russia.