National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby on Thursday told reporters the U.S. plans to conduct its annual strategic nuclear exercise with NATO and expects that Russia will do the same with its drills, reports the Washington Examiner.
"We anticipate the [Russians'] exercise will span several days. It will include actions within the normal bounds of what Russia has done in the past to include live missile launchers and the deployment of strategic assets," he said. "While Russia probably believes this exercise will help it project power, particularly in light of recent events, we know that Russian nuclear units train extensively at this time of year, again, routine, and obviously, we're going to continue to monitor that accordingly."
NATO will push ahead with long-planned nuclear exercises next week despite rising tensions over the war in Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin's insistence that he is not bluffing about using all available means to defend Russian territory, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday.
The exercise, dubbed "Steadfast Noon," is held annually and usually runs for about one week. It involves fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads but does not involve any live bombs. Conventional jets, and surveillance and refueling aircraft also routinely take part.
Stoltenberg said NATO will "closely monitor" what Russia is up to.
Asked what NATO would do if Russia launched a nuclear attack, Stoltenberg said: "We will not go into exactly how we will respond, but of course this will fundamentally change the nature of the conflict. It will mean that a very important line has been crossed."
He added that "even any use of a smaller nuclear weapon will be a very serious thing, fundamentally changing the nature of the war in Ukraine, and of course that would have consequences."
Fourteen NATO member countries will be involved in "Steadfast Noon," which was planned before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24. The main part of the maneuvers will be held more than 625 miles from Russia.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.