New Delhi: NATO claimed on Sunday that President Vladimir Putin's decision to put his nuclear troops on alert is "irresponsible," news agency AFP reported.
"This is dangerous rhetoric. This is a behaviour which is irresponsible," Jens Stoltenberg, the alliance's secretary-general, warned CNN escalating tensions over Russia's assault on Ukraine.
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"And, of course, if you combine this rhetoric with what they're doing on the ground in Ukraine, waging war against the independent sovereign nation, conducting a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine, this adds to the seriousness of the situation," he was quoted by AFP in its report.
Putin Directs Nuclear Deterrent Forces On High Alert
Earlier today, President Vladimir Putin directed Russia's nuclear deterrent forces to be placed on high alert amidst mounting concerns with the West over his attack on Ukraine, news agency Associated Press reported.
At a meeting with senior staff, Putin said that prominent NATO powers had made "aggressive statements," in addition to the West imposing tough financial sanctions on Russia, including the president himself.
Putin has directed Russia's nuclear weapons to be prepared for heightened launch readiness, according to the warning. He told Russia's defence minister and Chief of the General Staff to put nuclear-weapons units on a "special combat duty regime."
“Western countries aren’t only taking unfriendly actions against our country in the economic sphere, but top officials from leading NATO members made aggressive statements regarding our country,” Putin was quoted by AP in its report.
His directive meant that tensions with the West over the invasion of Ukraine may escalate to nuclear weapons deployment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned last week to retaliate harshly against any nations that actively participated in Ukraine's turmoil.
(With Inputs From Agencies)