Nato holds nuclear and exercise talks amid war tensions, Russian threats

Nato's secretive Nuclear Planning Group met Thursday as the military alliance presses ahead with plans to hold a nuclear exercise next week despite deep concern over President Vladimir Putin's insistence that he will use any means necessary to defend Russian territory.

Defence ministers led the session, which usually happens once or twice a year, at Nato headquarters in Brussels. It comes against a backdrop of high tension as some Nato allies, led by the US, supply Ukraine with advanced weapons and munitions to defend itself against Russian aerial attacks.

Nato is keeping a wary eye on Russia's movements, but has so far seen no change in its nuclear posture.

But additional uncertainty comes from the fact that Russia is also due to hold its own nuclear exercises soon, possibly at the same time as Nato or just after, according to Nato diplomats. That could complicate the 30-country military organization's reading of the crisis and of Moscow's intentions.

"Russia will also be conducting its annual exercise, I think, the week after or just after the annual exercise," UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told reporters. But "what we don't want is to do things out of routine."

"This is a routine exercise and it's all about readiness," Wallace said, just as "Nato's meeting is all about making sure we are ready for anything. I mean, that is the job of this alliance — to make sure that the 30 partners together are ready for what is thrown at us. And we have to continue to work at that."

Nato's exercise, dubbed "Steadfast Noon," is held around the same time every year and runs for about one week. It involves fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads but doesn't involve any live bombs. Conventional jets, and surveillance and refueling aircraft also routinely take part.

Fourteen Nato member countries will be involved in the exercise, which was planned before Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24. The main part of the manoeuvres will be held more than 1,000 kilometres (625 miles) from Russia.

Nato as an organization, doesn't possess any weapons. The nuclear weapons nominally linked to the alliance remain under the firm control of three member countries — the US, the UK and France. But France insists on maintaining its nuclear independence and doesn't take part in Nuclear Planning Group meetings.

Earlier this week, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned that it "would be absolutely the wrong signal to send" if the world's biggest security organization were to cancel the maneuvers.