Washington - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has revealed that the intergovernmental military alliance will conduct a significant nuclear exercise in the upcoming week. This announcement followed Russia's warning of its intent to withdraw from a global nuclear test ban agreement. Annually, NATO organizes the "Steadfast Noon" exercise, spanning approximately one week. It incorporates fighter aircraft capable of carrying nuclear warheads but does not involve the use of live bombs.

This exercise entails fighter jets equipped with nuclear warheads, while live bombs are not employed. Conventional aircraft, surveillance assets, and refueling planes also commonly participate.

As for the exercise's location, Stoltenberg clarified, "This is a routine training event that occurs every October. This year, the training will be held over Italy, Croatia, and the Mediterranean Sea," as reported by the Associated Press (AP). He emphasized that the exercise contributes to ensuring the "credibility, effectiveness, and security of our nuclear deterrent, sending a clear message that NATO is committed to safeguarding all its members. He underscored that Russia's conflict with Ukraine underscores the vital role played by NATO's nuclear weapons in deterring aggression.

The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), adopted in 1996, aims to prohibit nuclear explosions worldwide, although it has never fully entered into force. While it was signed by both the Russian and U.S. presidents, the United States never ratified it.

Regarding Russia's decision to withdraw from the treaty, a senior Russian diplomat stated earlier that Moscow would exit the treaty to align itself with the United States but would only resume nuclear testing if Washington did so first. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov conveyed that Russia would revoke its ratification to mirror the U.S. action and cautioned that in the event of a U.S. nuclear test, "we will be forced to reciprocate."

A day later, Stoltenberg criticized this move, asserting that it "demonstrates Russia's lack of respect and continued disregard for its international commitments." He also warned that such a decision is reckless and jeopardizes global norms against nuclear explosive testing. Stoltenberg made it clear that NATO allies have no intentions of resuming nuclear testing and accused President Vladimir Putin of using this nuclear rhetoric to dissuade NATO allies from supporting Ukraine. However, he asserted that these attempts would not succeed because it is in their security interests to support Ukraine.

NATO, established in the aftermath of World War II, is an intergovernmental military alliance comprising 31 member states, including 29 European nations and two North American countries. It was founded on April 4, 1949, with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C. NATO functions as a collective security system, with its independent member states committing to defend each other in the event of third-party attacks.