BRUSSELS. June 10 (Interfax-AVN) - The existing security challenges do not require that nuclear weapons be deployed in Europe, said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov.
"From my personal point of view, the presence or deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe, taking into account the current security challenges, would not make much sense," Ivanov said at a news conference following a NATO-Russia Council session in Brussels on Thursday.
Answering a question about the relocation of NATO forces, Ivanov said that "it is important for Russia that reconfiguration does not lead to any negative consequences for other countries' security."
He said he understands that the reconfiguration involves the construction of new airfields, in response to the growing threat of terrorism in the Middle East region.
"If it is caused by something else, the question may be more serious," Ivanov said.