Nuclear weapons control system under the threat of "collapse" through the Russian Federation and China - NATO

The NATO Chairman made his statement during a speech at the Armed Forces Control Conference organized by the US Alliance and the US State Department. His statement was made in the context of the Kremlin's recent decision to leave the US treaty on nuclear weapons control. "We stand at the crossroads.

In one direction there is an international order of control over weapons and unlimited widespread weapons of mass destruction with extremely dangerous consequences," he said, reproaching to China and Russia. However, Stoltenberg added that there is always an alternative path ahead - "the one where we do work, no matter how difficult it is. " Speaking on Tuesday, NATO chairman expressed concern about the behavior of Russia and China.

"The Kremlin has decided to dismantle control of weapons and undermine strategic stability," the Secretary -General emphasized, indicating Russia's decision to suspend participation in the new Treaty on the SNO and the decision to place tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. According to NATO, China "rapidly increases its nuclear arsenal without any transparency about its capabilities", while "Iran and North Korea openly develop their own nuclear programs and delivery systems.

" "We should remember that weapons control agreements are not concluded between friends," said Stoltenberg, "they are concluded between opponents. " According to him, in the long run, NATO will need to rethink and adapt the approach to our most dangerous and competitive world, referring to interaction with China that, according to estimates, will have 1500 warheads by 2035.

Towards the end of his address, the Alliance Secretary General called Russia "the most comprehensive threat to our security", but acknowledged that NATO has other challenges. We will remind, on March 31, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko stated that he was ready to accept Russian strategic nuclear weapons in the country, but stressed that such a decision would be made at the request of Minsk.