NATO plans to prepare for the worst nuclear scenarios in Ukraine
NATO defense ministers discussed Thursday how to prepare for a possible Russian nuclear attack against Ukraine and increase the alliance's nuclear deterrent.
"NATO's nuclear deterrence preserves peace, prevents violence and impedes aggression," said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, after the meeting in Brussels.
"The nuclear rhetoric (of Russian President Vladimir Putin) is dangerous and irresponsible," he added.
Twenty-nine of the 30 NATO defense ministers participated in a secret meeting of the Nuclear Planning Group on Thursday to assess the latest developments and threats from Putin.
France, the only nuclear power in the European Union, has refrained from participating in the consultations as usual, as it relies on the principle of "nuclear independence".
"Any use of nuclear weapons would fundamentally change the nature of the conflict and would have grave consequences," Stoltenberg said, without elaborating on NATO's possible response.
"We take these threats seriously and remain vigilant," Stoltenberg explained. "We will not be intimidated."
Today, German Defense Minister Christiane Lambrecht also warned against underestimating Russia's nuclear threats in the war in Ukraine.
Today, Lambrecht said: "It is very important to take the threats from Russia very seriously, and also to prepare appropriately for them."
The German minister declined to give details, and said: "I hope you understand that we are carrying out such coordination in secret internal committees," and indicated that she could say that they are being prepared for that.
Germany, in cooperation with more than 12 other countries, has launched a project to build a more advanced European air defense system.
Today, Thursday, the German Defense Minister signed a statement with European ministers on the so-called "Sky Shield" system initiative, on the sidelines of a NATO meeting in Brussels.
New weapons systems are to be jointly purchased with other countries through the European "Sky Shield" initiative, which will cover a large area at the cheapest possible price.
With the launch of the project, the German Minister of Defense said today, Thursday, with the launch of the project: "With this, we commit ourselves to shouldering our common responsibility for security on our continent," explaining that it is also about "political, financial and technological synergies."
According to Lambrecht, 14 countries, along with Germany, are participating in the initiative.
Officials from Britain, Slovakia, Norway, Latvia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania and Slovenia participated in the signing ceremony today.
And in the event of a Russian nuclear attack on major cities such as Kyiv, NATO might intervene directly in trying to defeat Russian forces in Ukraine if all allies agree.
Another response might be a hacking attack against critical Russian infrastructure, which would also be possible if Russia used smaller tactical nuclear weapons against the Ukrainian military.
US President Joe Biden has threatened dire consequences if Russia uses tactical nuclear or chemical weapons in Ukraine.
It is noteworthy that Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Russian presidency, said that the Russian military doctrine states that nuclear force is permissible only if the "existence of Russia" is endangered.
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