After the New START agreement is signed on Thursday, Russia and the United States should focus their attention on reducing tactical nuclear weapons that are designed to be used on the battlefield. The exact numbers are classified, but it is estimated that the United States deploys about 500 tactical weapons — 200 of which are located in Europe — while Russia has about 2,000 tactical warheads.
Tactical weapons were an important component of Cold War deterrence, but they become an anachronism after the Soviet Union collapsed. They are also vulnerable to being seized or purchased through the black market by terrorist groups. Nevertheless, some NATO members view tactical weapons as a symbol of strength and the firm U.S. security guarantee — or “nuclear umbrella” — for Europe. Turkey also values these weapons as a deterrence against potential Iranian aggression.
Since Moscow does not have the capacity to influence NATO decision making, tactical weapons still play a key role in the Kremlin’s deterrence strategy. Russia is still suspicious of NATO’s true intensions, and tactical nuclear arsenal serves as an important security guarantee and political instrument giving additional weight to its foreign policy.
Moscow’s sense of insecurity can be alleviated by reintegrating Russia into the European security framework based on the following two principles:
1. The NATO-Russia Council needs to be upgraded. Brussels should take Moscow’s views more seriously into consideration.
2. The adapted Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe should be ratified by all NATO members.
Russia cannot be expected to acquiesce to NATO’s demands in areas where it feels its own national security will be compromised. The inability to compromise is the major stumbling block to correcting the security imbalances between Russia and NATO. European security should not be a one-way street.
Danila Bochkarev is an associate for the Worldwide Security Initiative at the EastWest Institute. The views expressed are his own.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.