[Global Times Comprehensive Report] "The United States is accelerating its plan to deploy the upgraded nuclear warhead in Europe." For those who are worried that the world will slide to the edge of nuclear war , this report by the US "Political News Network" on the 27th is obviously bad news. It is said that the latest version of the B61-12 tactical nuclear bomb will arrive at the NATO base in Europe in December this year for deployment, and the original planned arrival time is next spring. B61-12 nuclear bomb can be equipped and used on bomber and fighter of the United States and its NATO allies. Some observers are puzzled by the "hazardous move" in the United States and warn of the possible consequences that may have caused. At present, NATO's "First Noon" nuclear deterrence exercise has not yet ended, and Russia has also held the "Thunder-2022" nuclear force exercise from the 26th. The situation in Europe's geopolitical is already very tense. However, there are more than one problem that makes the countries on this continent restless. Can the United States stick to its commitment to its allies and partners? CNN said that less than two weeks after the midterm elections, political sentiment against the endless participation of the United States in the war is growing on both parties, and the possibility of Washington reducing aid to Kiev has also been raised. Against this background, voices of "the possible collapse of the Western united front against Russia" are heard one after another.
26, Russia tested an "Yars" intercontinental ballistic missile, as part of Russia's nuclear exercise
"It's strange to have a hasty deployment"
on the 27th, saying that US officials told NATO allies at a closed-door meeting in Brussels this month that the time for the B61-12 tactical nuclear bomb to arrive at NATO's European base will be advanced from next spring to December this year. Two people familiar with the matter revealed that the deployment time of the nuclear bomb may be further ahead of the time displayed by the file.
reported that the US may consider more about deploying new nuclear bombs in advance, because they believe they are particularly vulnerable to attacks from Moscow . Tom Kolina, policy director of the American Plough Foundation at the disarmament organization, analyzed that the Russians knew that there was an B61 nuclear bomb in Europe, and the upgraded version would be updated, "but there is not much difference." "When allies feel threatened by Russia, this may be a way to provide them with assurance."
According to reports, the development of the B61 nuclear bomb began in the 1960s, and later it launched more than a dozen versions, most of which are no longer used now. The USD 10 billion B61-12 "Life Extension Plan" is under the responsibility of the US Department of Energy. Currently, the United States has deployed about 100 old versions of tactical nuclear bombs in Germany, Italy, Belgium, , Dutch, and military bases in , , and Turkey. Compared with the old version of B61 nuclear warhead, the accuracy of the B61-12 nuclear bomb has been significantly improved, and the B-2, B-21 bomber , F-15, F-16, F-35, "Cyclone" fighter, etc. can be carried.
Some long-term observers were surprised by the US's approach, fearing that the move could further exacerbate the already dangerous situation in Europe. "It's strange to have a hasty deployment," said Hans Christensen, director of the nuclear information program at the Federation of American Scientists. "They (referring to the US and Europe) have always said that they will not use the nuclear weapon to deal with this situation, and I don't think they are willing to go this way." He warned that any nuclear action, no matter how slight the amplitude, will cause unexpected consequences. An article on the US "Anti-War" website on the 26th believes that accelerating the deployment of upgraded nuclear weapons under the current situation will have little effect in addition to aggravating tensions in relations with Moscow.
"As the intensified geopolitical tensions in Europe, this deployment itself will cause considerable concerns from Russia." Russian "Opinion" quoted Zolothalev, deputy director of the Institute of the United States and Canada, the Russian Academy of Sciences on the 27th. However, he believes that Russia should not respond at the military level.
Regarding this news, US Department of Defense spokesman Ryder responded that replacing old versions of weapons with B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs is part of the long-term plan and modernization efforts of the Ukrainian nuclear arsenal, "this action has nothing to do with the current situation in Ukraine."
Putin : Russia will not become the new hegemony
The two-week NATO "firm noon" nuclear deterrence exercise is being held and it will end this Sunday. Starting from the 26th, Russia held the "Thunder-2022" strategic nuclear force exercise. The Communist Youth League Pravda said that the exercise lasted until the 29th. Qatar Al Jazeera said on the 26th that although NATO said "firm noon" was a routine exercise, it was conducted at the same time as the Russian exercise, "it was hard to imagine a worse time than this." According to reports, such exercises should be cancelled in the context of concerns about the "nuclear doomsday".
"'Thunder' warning: Why does Russia need strategic nuclear force exercises?" The Russian Issue Daily published an article on this topic on the 27th, citing Russian military expert Dmitry Kornev's words and analyses that Russia needs to improve the combat readiness level of strategic forces. He mentioned that NATO and Russia were exercising, "I don't think this is a coincidence", "we demonstrated the preparations of our own strategic nuclear forces for any unexpected events", and in the context of Russia's special military operations, the exercise showed that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict "does not require third-party intervention", and reminded the United States "don't forget that there is no winner in nuclear war."
Russian "Opinion" reported on the 27th that Russia did not test the latest "Sarmat" intercontinental ballistic missile in this exercise, which shows that it does not want to further exacerbate the tension in the situation. Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of Defense magazine, said that the "Thunder" exercise showed the combat readiness of Russia's nuclear power and the ability to carry out devastating revenge on the invaders, "which is an effective deterrent to NATO."
At a time when Russia and the West are at a trepidation, Russian President Putin attended the annual meeting of the Valde International Debate Club, a well-known Russian think tank, on the 27th local time. According to Russian News Agency , he said in his speech that any different view is called destructive propaganda and a threat to democracy in the West, and they hope to see "Kremlin conspiracy" everywhere. "No one can order what kind of society Russia should build." Putin said that the West's attempt to put everyone under a model is doomed to fail.
Putin said Russia does not consider itself an enemy of the West, "we are trying to establish relations with major Western countries and NATO...we are sincere." He said Russia would not become a new hegemony and said that Russia has never taken the initiative to say it may use nuclear weapons. "We don't need nuclear strike against Ukraine, there is no point in it - whether it is political or military."
"The first crack may be emerging"
Europe is not only worried that it will become a "nuclear battlefield", but also worry about becoming the "burden". According to the Washington Post 26th, the United States' European allies are increasingly worried that if the Republicans win in the November midterm election, the united front formed by the West in response to Russia's "invasion" of Ukraine may soon collapse. Such concerns have been heard one after another since last week, House Minority Leader McCarthy said that the Republican-controlled House would not continue to issue " blank check " to Ukraine. The mere hint of the possible U.S. aid cuts has already sounded the alarm in European countries. British MP Elwood said that if it weren't for the large number of American weapons entering Ukraine, the latter would not have caused Russia to "retreat" at all, and any slowdown in aid would have changed the rules of the game, "doing this is exactly what Putin wants."
Ashbrook, executive vice president of the German Bertelsmann Foundation, mentioned that some European countries are already delaying making relevant commitments or taking actions, such as Germany has not taken measures to increase defense spending. EU promised to provide Ukraine with 11 billion euros in financial aid, and so far only 3 billion euros have been cashed out." New York Times " said on the 26th that the scale of weapons provided by the United States, Britain and Poland and other European countries have significant differences, which raises a question: Are some countries slowing down their provisions to shorten the war time and speed up the negotiation process?
"Why has Ukraine to be afraid of the (mid-term) election in the United States?" Austrian Courier said on the 27th that if the Republican Party wins, Biden's aid will be shaken. For Republicans who refuse to approve the aid plan, "the family needs money, too." In an interview article published on the US Axios website on the 26th, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kureba was worried about the relevant remarks in the United States, "We think this is unfair." However, he also said, "I believe we will be able to effectively deal with these risks and the assistance to Ukraine will not be reduced." However, in May, 57 U.S. House Republican lawmakers voted against a $40 billion Ukrainian aid program.
According to CNN on the 26th, during the midterm election campaign, those who are skeptical of the Ukraine issue are preparing to step up their actions. "For months, Putin has been waiting and watching, hoping to break the Washington consensus established by Biden... Now, the first crack may be emerging." The report said that although the letter from 30 Democratic lawmakers asking Biden to have diplomatic contact with Russia was withdrawn, the incident may give Republicans reason in the future that opposing Biden's military aid plan is not just their business.
Rep. Connor, a Democrat in California, told CNN that he does not support the decision to withdraw the joint letter. He said he recognized what Biden said that people are "at risk of nuclear war." "Don't you think our Ukrainian colleagues should talk to Russia? Of course, they should make sure that things don't escalate," Conner said.
[Global Times Special Correspondent in Russia and Germany Xiao Xinxin Qingmu Wang Yi Liu Yupeng]
