(para 2 of news item issued at 2:46 p.m. adjusted)
MOSCOW. Jan 30 (Interfax) - Moscow warns Washington against the planned return of tactical nuclear weapons to the United Kingdom, as that will not strengthen security of both countries, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday.
"Our military planning should take into account the aggregate potential of all states possessing nuclear weapons, both NATO members and non-members. The British national potential tends to grow. As for the hypothetical return of U.S. tactical weapons to the British territory, I would like to warn them against this destabilizing move in the most definitive and firm manner," Ryabkov said, commenting on media reports.
"Security of neither the United Kingdom nor the United States will strengthen as a result of this step, which will not have an intimidation effect on us either. Yet the general level of escalation and threats in Europe will be elevated," he said.