Seventeen allied NATO states will participate starting on October 13 in the annual nuclear maneuvers of the Atlantic Alliance, a ten-day exercise that will take place in Italy and which, as the organization emphasizes, in no case poses a threat to Russia.
In the note released about these maneuvers, known as "Firm Midday," NATO emphasizes that "these exercises represent a long-planned routine training activity that is part of NATO's efforts to maintain readiness and testing procedures that contribute to the deterrence and defense of the Alliance."
The scenario will unfold in a context of maximum tension between NATO and Moscow, especially after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that his country could use its nuclear arsenal against members of the Atlantic Alliance in a hypothetical self-defense situation.
In light of this climate, NATO emphasizes in its statement that "real weapons will not be used" during the maneuvers, which will be "disconnected from current global events" and "are not directed against any country."
To reinforce this message, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has reiterated that he leads "a defensive alliance" and that these practices have the main objective of "ensuring a safe, effective, and credible capability to preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression," in addition to sending "a clear message of unity and determination."