NATO seeks to reassure Russia ahead of nuclear exercise in Italy

15:05

By: Azzat Manal

NATO seeks to reassure Russia ahead of nuclear exercise in Italy

NATO is seeking to reassure Russia that its upcoming nuclear exercise in Italy is not intended to threaten Moscow, according to a report by Politico. The annual drills, scheduled to take place from October 13 to 23, come at a time of heightened tensions between the Western military alliance and Russia over European security and military activity.

The exercise, known as Steadfast Noon, is a recurring NATO training operation designed to maintain the readiness of participating forces and practise procedures associated with the alliance's nuclear deterrence posture. NATO officials have stressed that the manoeuvres are part of routine preparations rather than a signal of an intention to escalate tensions with Russia or other countries.

NATO's director for nuclear policy, Nasima Barouz, said there was no reason for Russia or other states to be concerned about the exercise. She explained that the alliance conducts the activity annually and described it as part of its established approach to maintaining military preparedness. The drills are intended to ensure that personnel remain familiar with the procedures required for a mission involving nuclear deterrence.

According to Italian media outlet Today, Barouz also emphasised that the exercise would not involve the use of live nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, she said that training to the standards required for such a sensitive mission remained essential. NATO's nuclear exercises generally involve aircraft, personnel and operational procedures, with activities designed to test coordination and readiness without detonating nuclear weapons.

Italy has hosted Steadfast Noon on several occasions since 2010, according to the report. Its role in the upcoming exercise has nevertheless prompted questions from some Italian opposition politicians about parliamentary oversight and public transparency surrounding multinational military activities conducted on national territory.

Angelo Bonelli, a lawmaker from Italy's Green and Left Alliance, has called on Defence Minister Guido Crosetto to explain why parliament was not informed about the planned NATO manoeuvres. Bonelli raised concerns that the training would include simulations involving the potential use of US nuclear weapons stationed in Europe. His intervention has added a domestic political dimension to the broader debate over Italy's participation in NATO's nuclear deterrence arrangements.

The alliance's nuclear posture remains a sensitive subject across Europe. NATO maintains that its deterrence policy is intended to prevent aggression and protect its members, while critics argue that nuclear-related military exercises can deepen mistrust and increase the risk of miscalculation, particularly when relations between major powers are already strained.

Russia has repeatedly criticised NATO's military activities near its borders and has accused the alliance of contributing to rising tensions in Europe. Dmitry Polyansky, Russia's permanent representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, recently argued that what Moscow considers provocative NATO actions are increasing the danger of a direct confrontation on the continent. His remarks came in response to the alliance's broader military planning and command exercises in 2026.

NATO, for its part, maintains that its exercises are defensive and necessary to preserve the operational capabilities of its member states. The alliance has continued to emphasise preparedness and coordination as key elements of its security strategy, particularly in light of the deteriorating relationship with Russia following the war in Ukraine.

The upcoming Steadfast Noon exercise highlights the delicate balance facing European governments: maintaining credible deterrence while avoiding signals that could be interpreted as preparations for an attack. Although the drills are presented by NATO as routine, their timing and nuclear dimension are likely to keep military transparency, parliamentary scrutiny and relations with Moscow at the centre of the European security debate.