Russia warns European countries against hosting French nuclear-capable aircraft

On April 23, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that European countries hosting French strategic aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons would become targets for the Russian armed forces in the event of a conflict. This warning follows comments made in March by French President Emmanuel Macron regarding plans to expand France's nuclear arsenal. Macron indicated that France is discussing the potential for European partners to temporarily host nuclear-capable strategic aircraft. The countries mentioned in these discussions include Britain, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, and Denmark. Grushko described these initiatives as an uncontrolled expansion of NATO's nuclear potential, which Moscow views as a strategic threat. The Russian official argued that such measures undermine rather than enhance the security of the host nations. Furthermore, Moscow announced that its military will track these developments and adjust its priority target list accordingly.