MOSCOW. Feb 16 (Interfax) - The United States keeps tactical nuclear weapons ready for use, Russian Security Council Deputy Secretary Mikhail Popov said.
"Tactical nuclear weapons are kept ready for use, and the capacities of the European segment of the U.S. global missile defense network are being enhanced," Popov said in an interview with the Rossiyskaka Gazeta newspaper.
The staff and combat potential of the U.S. contingent have tangibly grown over the past seven years, the number of U.S. ground troops in Europe has enlarged by 30%, while the number of armored vehicles has quadrupled, he said.