Russia warns US about scenario of bringing nuclear weapons back to UK

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov (Photo: TASS).

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov warned the US on January 30 not to bring tactical nuclear weapons back to British territory.

"Regarding the hypothetical return of US tactical nuclear weapons to British territory, I would like to strongly warn against this destabilizing step. This move will not strengthen the security of the UK or the US but will increase the level of escalation and threat in Europe," the Russian diplomat said.

"The experience of recent years in London and Washington shows that hotheads in these countries do not learn their lessons, so the above scenario is entirely possible," Mr. Ryabkov said.

The Telegraph on January 26 quoted a well-informed source saying that the US may bring B61-12 nuclear bombs to Lakenheath base for the first time in 15 years after Washington decided to withdraw its nuclear weapons from the UK in 2008.

A Pentagon spokesman would not confirm or deny the information. The US said it would "regularly upgrade its military facilities in allied countries".

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned that the Kremlin would view the deployment of US nuclear weapons in the UK as an escalation of tensions.

Russia denies plans to attack NATO

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said speculation in the West about a scenario where Russia could attack the Baltic and Northern European countries once the Ukraine conflict ends is just fiction.

Speaking to heads of Russian foreign affairs on January 30, Lavrov said the United States had assembled a group of 54 countries to provide military, technical and intelligence aid to Ukraine to help it resist Russia. "All this is done to prevent Russia from winning," he added.

He dismissed speculation from Western countries that "if Russia wins in Ukraine, the Baltic states, Sweden and Finland will be the next targets".

The Russian foreign minister said such statements were absurd for anyone who understood the history and goals of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine "which we have announced openly and without concealment."

Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow had no plans to attack NATO.

In addition, Mr. Lavrov accused Western powers of asking several countries to secretly provide Russian-made weapons to Ukraine.

He did not name any specific countries, but said he would continue to demand that all international obligations regarding arms transfers be complied with.

Mr. Lavrov pointed out that when a foreign country legally purchases Russian weapons, the shipments will come with certain documents, including end-user certificates.

“Under this certificate, the recipient of the weapon has no right to resell it or transfer it anywhere without the consent of the supplying country,” he explained.

In addition, he said that Western weapons aid to Kiev appeared to be used not only on the Ukrainian battlefield, but also had been sent to many different regions around the world.

"Weapons supplied by the West to the Ukrainian authorities are found not only in conflict zones in the Middle East but also in illegal shipments in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and the Gaza Strip," Lavrov said.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nga-canh-bao-my-ve-kich-ban-dua-vu-khi-hat-nhan-tro-lai-anh-20240130212728218.htm