Russian diplomat Andrey Belousov claimed that the US insistence on opening talks about Russia’s non-strategic nuclear weapons showed Washington was seriously considering the possibility of using nuclear weapons in Europe.
Belousov, Russia’s ambassador-at-large, argued in an interview with the RT television channel on Sunday that the US views Europe as a potential nuclear battlefield.
Criticism of Washington’s nuclear approach
Belousov said calls for greater transparency regarding Russia’s non-strategic nuclear arsenal, as well as for reducing or eliminating these weapons, could increase the possibility of a nuclear-use scenario involving the US and its European allies.
Belousov directed his assessment at the US and NATO, arguing that this approach sought to divert international attention from the risks posed by US nuclear weapons deployed in Europe, as well as Washington’s broader missile and nuclear programs.
The Russian diplomat said the presence of US nuclear weapons in European NATO countries and NATO’s nuclear-sharing arrangements had long been a source of concern for Moscow. He added that NATO’s expansion and the broadening of exercises related to the possible use of nuclear weapons increased the risks to Russia’s security.
Moscow’s statement on its nuclear arsenal
Belousov said Russia had reduced its non-strategic nuclear arsenal to one-quarter of its previous size in the early 1990s and moved the remaining weapons to central storage facilities. He said Moscow expected reciprocal steps from Washington and argued that the US’s subsequent moves had not fundamentally changed the military and political situation in Europe.
He said the collapse of arms-control and nuclear-disarmament agreements, along with US plans to develop a multilayered missile-defense system under the “Golden Dome” program and modernize its nuclear forces, had significantly worsened the strategic environment.
Call to return to strategic dialogue
Belousov said Russia wanted to bring the issue of NATO’s nuclear-sharing arrangements, which Moscow considers destabilizing, into international discussions and encourage the US to withdraw its nuclear weapons from Europe.
Belousov said Moscow was open to resuming strategic dialogue with Washington, but that mutually acceptable agreements currently appeared unlikely. He said negotiations should be conducted on the basis of equal and indivisible security and should cover broader factors affecting strategic stability.
Belousov also said Russia would respond to developments in strategic weapons through political, diplomatic and military-technical measures. He said these measures would aim to preserve the strategic balance and counter possible additional threats to Russia’s security.
The US, NATO and European security
The Pentagon said Washington remained committed to nuclear deterrence and wanted NATO members in Europe to assume greater responsibility for the alliance’s conventional defense.
US President Donald Trump said this week that he was not concerned about the possibility of Russia attacking NATO territory. The statement came as concerns grew in Europe over a possible Russian military move against the alliance.
NATO criticizes Russia’s expansion and modernization of its non-strategic nuclear capabilities. Moscow, meanwhile, views its nuclear arsenal as the only means of deterring an attack by NATO’s superior military force.
Non-strategic, or tactical, nuclear weapons have long been among the contentious issues in arms-control talks between the US and Russia. While both countries possess significant tactical nuclear arsenals, the US also keeps nuclear weapons in Europe under NATO arrangements.
Debates over the future of European security and arms control expanded further after New START, the last agreement limiting the US and Russia’s strategic nuclear arsenals, expired in February.
