Kremlin promises ‘counter-steps’ in reply to US deploying nuclear weapons to Germany
The planned deployment of the latest US nuclear bombs at the Buchel Air Base in Germany would disrupt the strategic balance of forces in Europe and could force a reaction from Russia, President Vladimir Putin’s press secretary has stated.
“It may lead to the destruction of the strategic balance in Europe. Therefore it would definitely cause Russia to take corresponding counter-steps and counter-measures in order to restore the strategic balance and parity,” Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.
“This is another step and unfortunately it is a very serious step towards increase of tensions on the European continent. Such actions cannot be described as a step towards stronger trust and greater stability,” the Russian official added.
The statement was prompted by news this week circulated by the German television channel ZDF, which found out from US budget documents about the US Air Force’s plans to bring new B61 nuclear bombs to the Luftwaffe’s Buchel Air Base. It currently hosts Tornado multipurpose aircraft that are capable of carrying atomic weapons. Twenty older bombs are stored at the base under a nuclear sharing deal, while it is the only facility in Germany, which has kept nuclear weapons since 2007.
The newer B61 Mod 12 bombs are more accurate and have smaller yields than modifications 3 and 4, which are currently deployed in Europe.
The Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Maria Zakharova earlier told ZDF that Russia was deeply concern about America’s plans to bring new nuclear weapons to Germany. She noted that Russia has reduced the number of tactical nukes it keeps by four times since the 1990s, while Moscow has also called for an international treaty, which would allow nuclear powers to only keep atomic weapons on their own territory.
“The comprehensive analysis of the situation points to the threat posed by the increasing military capability of NATO and its endowment with global functions, which it performs in violation of the international law, as well as the encroachment of the military infrastructure of NATO members on the borders of the Russian Federation,” Zakharova told German reporters.
The head of the State Duma Committee for Defense, MP Vladimir Komoyedov (Communist Party) told TASS that Russia could deploy more weapons to its western exclaves – the Kaliningrad Region and the Crimean Republic – in order to retain a strategic balance of forces in Europe. However, the lawmaker noted that Russia had enough weapons, even on its mainland, to effectively ensure the security of the country.
The Interfax news agency quoted an unnamed source, “from military-diplomatic circles,” who said the Russian authorities were studying the details of the US plans to deploy new nuclear bombs to Germany and may decide to bring its newest Iskander-M tactical nuclear weapons to Kaliningrad if the threat is judged as being a valid one.
Fuente: https://www.rt.com/politics/316291-kremlin-promises-counter-steps-in/
Russia Says Will Respond if US Places New Nukes in Germany
MOSCOW — The Kremlin says Russia will take countermeasures if the U.S. places new nuclear weapons at a base in Germany.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov's comments, reported Wednesday by Russian news agencies, came in response to a report by Germany's ZDF television. The report said that preparation is underway by the U.S. to station B61-12 nuclear bombs at Buechel Air Base in Germany.
ZDF said its information was based on examination of U.S.federal budget reports. The claim couldn't immediately be confirmed.
The B61-12 is an upgraded version of weapons that have been in the US arsenal for decades, developed under what is called the Life Extension Program.
The National Nuclear Safety Administration said in July that the upgrade included a new tail-kit assembly and would improve the bomb's reliability and security.
Peskov said "unfortunately, if this step is implemented ... it may disrupt the strategic balance in Europe and therefore will clearly make Russia take corresponding countermeasures to re-establish the balance."
He didn't specify what those measures might be.
The U.S. military responded that the weapons could not be considered as new.
Pentagon spokesman, Army Lt. Colonel Joe Sowers, said "life-extended weapons are not 'new' weapons. LEPs will not provide new capabilities or meet new military requirements."
Fuente: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/09/23/world/europe/ap-eu-russia-germany-nuclear.html?_r=0
