The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will continue with routine annual nuclear deterrence exercises.
In a press conference this Tuesday, NATO head Jens Stoltenberg stated that canceling this exercise would send the wrong signal to Moscow.
He further added that NATO military force was the best way to prevent any escalation of tensions with Russia, which has made veiled threats to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine, which it invaded on February 24.
The exercise, called "Sustainable Noon," is held annually and usually lasts about a week. It includes fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear warheads, but does not include any live bombs. Conventional aircraft, as well as observation and refueling aircraft, also routinely participate. Fourteen of NATO's 30 member nations will take part in the exercise, which was planned before Russia invaded Ukraine in February. The main part of the maneuvers will be held more than 1,000 kilometers (625 miles) from Russia.
"It would send a very wrong signal if we suddenly canceled a long-planned routine exercise because of the war in Ukraine. That would be absolutely the wrong signal to send. The determined and predictable behavior of NATO, our military force, is the best way to prevent escalation. If we now create the basis for any misunderstandings, miscalculations in Moscow about our readiness to protect and defend all allies, we would increase the risk of escalation," Stoltenberg said, Reuters reports .