US Considers Deploying Nuclear Weapons in More NATO Countries

ILLUSTRATION PHOTO/NATO

JAKARTA - The United States is discussing the possibility of placing nuclear weapons in more NATO member European countries as a step towards deploying dual-capable aircraft that can launch nuclear attacks.

The Financial Times on Tuesday, June 2, citing several sources, reported that US officials had signaled their readiness to expand deployment beyond the six countries that host nuclear-armed bombers.

The move is reported to allow other countries to place US dual-capable aircraft designed to deliver nuclear strikes.

Several Baltic countries and NATO members on the alliance's eastern flank, including Poland, are said to be interested in becoming the location for the deployment of the aircraft.

Quoted by ANTARA from Sputnik, the source said discussions are still ongoing internally at NATO, with the greatest interest coming from countries closest to the Russian border.

In recent years, Russia has repeatedly expressed concern over the unprecedented increase in NATO activity near its western borders.

The Kremlin insists Russia poses no threat to anyone, but will not ignore actions that it considers potentially harmful to its interests.