 The move could be seen as either an attempt to show Putin that the West was not backing down or alternatively a message from the US to European allies who are feeling increasingly vulnerable. In the cable seen by Politico it refers to NATO countries' concerns over Russia's nuclear threat. It states: 'Given the rising volume and scale of Russia's nuclear rhetoric, a subset of allies requested continued consultations at NATO to ensure continued readiness and consistent messaging.' It adds that NATO 'must not give in to Putin's nuclear blackmail.' At the same time Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told the news outlet that the early delivery of){kind=link}
The United States is to reportedly fast-track the sending of B61-12 air dropped gravity bombs to NATO allies with the delivery now set to take place in December rather than next spring
A new more accurate nuclear bomb will be sent quicker than originally planned by the United States to NATO allies as relations remain at crisis point with Russia over Ukraine, it is reported.
While Vladimir Putin has now claimed that it is the West that has been responsible for ramping up the nuclear rhetoric, Russia has stated that it would be prepared to use the weapons to defend its territory.
And with tensions at boiling point, the US has said that it will be sending updated B61-12 air dropped gravity bombs to NATO allies this December, reported Politico, citing sources and a diplomatic cable it had seen.
The new more accurate bomb will be kept at storage sites in Europe, with the planned delivery having been discussed for years with public statements made about the upgrade – only the timing has now changed.