Russia raps US over keeping nukes in Europe

Russia’s envoy to NATO Alexander Grushko has censured the US for retaining tactical nuclear arms in Europe, saying the weapons must be removed as there is no objective reason for their deployment.

Grushko made the comments on Friday, criticizing the US for still having non-strategic nuclear arms deployed in the territories of non-nuclear member states of NATO in Europe.

The exact number of American tactical nuclear weapons deployed in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey is unknown; however, the Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation research group estimates some 500 warheads are stored in the five European countries.

The Russian envoy also condemned the European non-nuclear NATO states for allowing their territories to host US nuclear arms and for possessing airborne vehicles capable of carrying nuclear weapons as well as for partaking in the military alliance’s collective drills in handling such arms.

"Up till now, Europeans allocate their territories to deploy such nuclear arms, undertake to give specially equipped planes with specially trained crews to deliver such weapons should a conflict erupt, take part in NATO’s collective exercises to drill nuclear weapons handling skills," said Grushko.

The Russian envoy added that possessing planes capable of carrying nuclear arms “is categorically forbidden” by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), saying “its article 1 bans nuclear countries to hand over control over nuclear arms or other nuclear explosive devices to anyone, directly or indirectly."

Grushko called on Washington to remove all its nuclear arms from other national territories, noting that Moscow has already pulled back all of its nuclear arms.

“We believe that the United States needs to remove these nuclear bombs, atom bombs back to its own national territory, which would be a serious contribution in strengthening both strategic stability and security in Europe,” said Grushko.

The remarks by Grushko came a day after Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu expressed hope during NATO Foreign Ministers Summit in the country’s coastal city of Antalya that the alliance’s next meeting would focus on expanding to incorporate Georgia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia as member states.

NATO has announced plans to expand its military presence in Eastern Europe amid the crisis in Ukraine. NATO conducted some 200 military exercises last year in the region last year and has promised to hold more this year.

The United States and its European allies accuse Russia of destabilizing Ukraine. Moscow has repeatedly rejected the accusations and has frequently condemned NATO’s exercises and military buildup toward its borders.

CAH/HMV/HRB

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