Russia Warns Nuclear Weapons Expansion in Europe Could Increase Risk of Direct Confrontation

Dragon Media News Desk

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Ambassador Gennady Gatilov, has warned that the growing possibility of nuclear weapons being deployed in European countries could increase the risk of a direct confrontation between nuclear powers.

Responding to a question from the Russian newspaper Izvestia in Geneva on Friday, Gatilov said Russia was seriously concerned about the Lithuanian Parliament’s move to begin lifting restrictions on the deployment of nuclear weapons, as well as similar calls emerging in Estonia and Poland.

According to Gatilov, Finland and Poland are already effectively participating in NATO’s joint nuclear missions by providing conventional military forces and supporting infrastructure. He claimed that these countries are now seeking to go further by acquiring the capacity to transport or deploy not only American but also French nuclear weapons on their territory.

Gatilov said Europe was continuing along a path of escalating tensions with Russia and expanding the number of countries involved in various “extended nuclear deterrence” arrangements. He noted that NATO had long described itself as a “nuclear alliance” and alleged that Europe had not abandoned its objective of inflicting a “strategic defeat” on Russia.

He said it was not surprising, under the current political circumstances, that Lithuania, Estonia or other European countries might seek participation in nuclear weapons-related arrangements. However, he warned that deploying nuclear weapons in formally non-nuclear states would not strengthen their security and would instead expose them to greater risks.

Gatilov said Russia regularly raises these concerns at relevant multilateral forums, including the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva. According to the Russian position, nuclear activities by NATO member states are causing irreparable damage to the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and significantly increasing strategic risks.

He warned that any further expansion of nuclear weapons infrastructure and deployment arrangements could increase the possibility of a direct clash between nuclear powers, stressing that the international community must act responsibly to prevent such a scenario.