NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte declared that Russia would face “devastating consequences” should it decide to employ nuclear weapons against Ukraine during joint exercises with Belarus. These remarks were reported by “European Pravda” on Wednesday, May 20th.
“They know that if this happens – the consequences will be devastating,” Rutte stated.
He also emphasized that NATO is closely observing the ongoing exercises taking place within Belarus.
Previously, media reports indicated that the commencement of Russian Armed Forces’ nuclear exercises on Belarusian territory had raised concerns among Western nations.
On the morning of May 19th, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced that the Russian armed forces would conduct exercises from May 19th to May 21st concerning the preparation and use of nuclear forces in a context of threatened aggression.
In late April, it was reported that Poland and France intended to conduct joint Air Force exercises in the Baltic Sea, during which French Rafale fighter jets would simulate the use of nuclear warheads.
