NATO: Russia now using nuclear weapons as tool in strategy of intimidation

The use of nuclear weapons by Russia as an instrument of intimidation is deeply troubling, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an exclusive interview with UNIAN, when asked to comment on fears that Moscow may deploy nuclear weapons to the occupied Ukrainian territory of Crimea.

"Russia has begun to use nuclear weapons as a tool in its strategy of intimidation,” Stoltenberg said.

“The recent use of nuclear rhetoric by Russia raises deep concerns about compliance with the Treaty on elimination of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles. Such actions and rhetoric do not promote transparency and predictability in the context of security environment, which has changed dramatically due to the aggressive actions of Russia in Ukraine.”

Stoltenberg also stressed that NATO poses no threat to Russia.

"NATO is a defensive alliance, and NATO nuclear doctrine is fully consistent with the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,” he said.

“We have revised our nuclear policy, and decided at the summit in Chicago three years ago that it was appropriate.”

Read more on UNIAN: http://www.unian.info/world/1091388-nato-russia-now-using-nuclear-weapons-as-tool-in-strategy-of-intimidation.html