NATO will launch its annual nuclear preparedness exercise on Monday, Secretary General Mark Rutte announced Thursday, calling it a critical show of strength in “an uncertain world.” The two-week drill involves all 32 alliance members and aims to test defenses amid rising geopolitical instability.
“Testing our readiness isn’t optional—it’s how we keep our adversaries in check,” Rutte said after meeting UK PM Keir Starmer and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London.
While NATO stresses these drills are routine, this year’s exercise comes as tensions simmer over conflicts in Ukraine and broader security concerns. 🌐 The alliance reiterated that no live weapons will be used during the maneuver.
Starmer called the drill a “non-negotiable pillar” of collective security, while Zelenskyy praised NATO’s ongoing support for Kyiv. Analysts say the visibility of such exercises acts as a deterrent—but critics argue it risks escalating nuclear rhetoric. 💬
