Ukraine-Russia latest: Calls for Brazil to arrest Putin as Zelensky issues new North Korea warning
Russia has accused NATO of fuelling tensions as the western military alliance launches its annual nuclear drill involving 2,000 troops.
NATO launched the ‘Steadfast Noon’ drill in northern Europe on Monday, which also includes 60 aircraft from eight bases and 13 nations. The drill will be led by Belgium and the Netherlands, and will last around two weeks.
The exercise will largely be held 900 kilometres (560 miles) north of Russia, in the North Sea.
But Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has accused NATO of fuelling tensions in light of a “hot war” raging in Ukraine.
“In the conditions of a hot war, which is being waged within the framework of the Ukrainian conflict, of course, such exercises lead to nothing but further escalation of tension,” Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian media.
He also said it would not be possible to hold nuclear arms talks with the US, because of what it perceives as both direct and indirect involvement in the Ukraine war from western powers.
Joe Biden said in a statement yesterday that he is ready to negotiate with Russia, China and North Korea on nuclear issues “without preconditions to reduce the nuclear threat”.
