Moscow concerned about NATO, U.S. nuclear buildup near Russia bordersSeptember 22, 2016 - 16:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO’s joint nuclear missions are a serious threat to the existing global nonproliferation regime, Moscow is concerned over the U.S. plans to station new nuclear weapons in Europe, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Thursday, September 22, according to Sputnik. “Such joint NATO nuclear missions are a serious threat in the non-proliferation sphere as they directly contradict the spirit and the letter of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,” Ryabkov said. “It is a cause of great concern that the United States are planning to deploy new nuclear bombs of reduced power but with greater accuracy in Europe in the framework of modernizing its nuclear arsenal.” NATO continues its buildup of missile capabilities close to Russian borders to Moscow's concern. Moscow has repeatedly voiced its worries about the United States' European Phased Adaptive Approach missile buildup in the immediate vicinity of Russian borders, Ryabkov added. He noted the destabilizing factor of the U.S. missile system's European phase and its negative impact on Russia's strategic deterrence tools. "Although this level has not been reached, the capacity of the U.S. and NATO missile shield will be stepped up. In this regard, we consider Washington and Brussels' reluctance to adjust its missile defense plans symptomatic, despite reaching agreements to resolve the situation surrounding the Iranian nuclear program," Ryabkov said. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |