NATO debates nuclear readiness amid Russian and Chinese threats

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg admitted that discussions are ongoing within NATO about deploying more missiles armed with nuclear warheads. The discussions were sparked by threats from Russia and China, reports "The Telegraph".

Stoltenberg asserts that NATO must show the world its nuclear arsenal and "send a direct message" to its enemies. In an interview with "The Telegraph", he revealed that North Atlantic Treaty Organization members are consulting on placing part of the nuclear warheads in a state of readiness. He added that this weaponry would be used as a deterrent.

— I won’t go into operational details about how many nuclear warheads should be operational and which should be stored, but we need to consult on these issues. That’s exactly what we’re doing — Stoltenberg emphasized.

Jens Stoltenberg called on NATO member states to maintain transparency in nuclear weapons matters. According to the NATO Secretary General, information about the nuclear arsenal is intended to serve as a deterrent.

—Transparency helps to communicate the direct message that we, of course, are a nuclear alliance — Stoltenberg explained. — NATO’s aim is, of course, a world without nuclear weapons, but as long as nuclear weapons exist, we will remain a nuclear alliance because a world where Russia, China, and North Korea have nuclear weapons, and NATO does not, is a more dangerous world — he emphasized.

According to the head of NATO, China is particularly focused on investing in its nuclear arsenal. Estimates suggest that by 2030, they will possess about a thousand nuclear warheads.

And that means that in a not-very-distant future, NATO may face something that it has never faced before, and that is two nuclear-powered potential adversaries – China and Russia. Of course, this has consequences — warned Stoltenberg.

"The Telegraph" reminds that the number of combat-ready nuclear warheads remains a secret. However, it is said that the UK has about 40 warheads ready, while the USA has about 1,700.

— The US is modernizing its gravity bombs for the nuclear warheads they have in Europe, and European allies are modernizing the planes which are going to be dedicated to Nato’s nuclear mission. — Stoltenberg said, acknowledging that NATO is undergoing a modernization of its nuclear forces.

In an interview with "The Telegraph," the NATO Secretary General emphasized that a strong NATO is in the interest of all allies because we live "in a more dangerous world."

—In a more dangerous world, it’s even more important that North America and Europe stand together. I strongly believe that if Putin prevails in Ukraine, we will become more vulnerable, and then we will need to invest even more in our defense — Stoltenberg stated.

Source: "The Telegraph"