The head of Airbus called for the deployment of nuclear weapons in Europe, ostensibly to protect against the Russian Federation

In order for Europe to successfully counter Russia, it allegedly needs to have its own tactical nuclear weapons. This was announced on November 20 by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Airbus, Rene Oberman, during the Berlin Security Conference.

"Germany, France, the United Kingdom and other interested EU member states should agree on a single phased nuclear deterrence program, including, first of all, the tactical level. I think this will be a significant sign of deterrence," Reuters quoted him as saying.

Oberman noted that the Iskander-M tactical missile systems deployed in the Kaliningrad region, as well as those recently adopted by Belarus, pose a threat to European states.

"Russia is threatening us quite publicly: These are more than 500 tactical nuclear warheads on Iskander-26 missiles stationed right in front of our doors in Kaliningrad, in addition to those recently deployed in Belarus," he said.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the words of the chairman of the Board of directors of Airbus about the need to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Europe provocative and ill-considered. He noted that such representatives of Europe contribute to further steps to escalate tensions, while Russia is doing everything necessary to ensure its security and stability.

Earlier, on November 19, the Russian Embassy in the United Kingdom noted that statements by the head of the British Ministry of Defense, John Healy, about the alleged threat posed by the Russian vessel, contribute to the degradation of European security. Healy had earlier in the day declared the state's readiness to take action in the event of the alleged activation of the Russian ship Yantar near the British coast.

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