The United States announced on Tuesday that Russia had informed it that it would conduct routine nuclear exercises, in a move that would reduce the risk of miscalculation from one side, amid Western statements about the possibility of Moscow using a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine.
The US State Department stated that Moscow complied with the terms of agreements stipulating that Washington must be informed of tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles and ballistic missiles launched from submarines.
"It's a routine annual exercise that Russia conducts," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters. "While Russia engages in unprovoked aggression and reckless nuclear threats, these notification measures ensure that the factor of surprise is eliminated and the risk of miscalculation is minimized."
The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) also confirmed on Tuesday that the nuclear exercises, which were reported to the American side, are an annual routine exercise conducted by Russia.
Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said that by notifying the United States of the exercise, Russia is complying with its arms control and transparency obligations.
rare contact
And in the past few days, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, held two talks, in a rare communication between the two parties in the midst of escalating tensions between them since the start of the war on Ukraine on February 24.
In this context, the New York Times quoted officials as saying that the recent phone conversation between Austin and Shoigu was aimed at identifying red lines that might provoke Russia to launch a nuclear attack.
It is noteworthy that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization "NATO" (NATO) launched a week ago a nuclear deterrent air maneuver under the name "Steadfast Noon", or noon, at Klein Bruegel Air Base in Belgium.
These exercises are held annually, but this year comes amid tension between Russia and the West over the war in Ukraine.