Both NATO and London responded to the warnings by the Russian embassies in Brussels and London that the drumbeat for a major war between western Europe and Russia, and the escalation in saber-rattling, was foolish and was risking a nuclear war. Today’s responses can only contribute to the gamesmanship driving the process toward a nuclear confrontation.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart, as reported by European Pravda, provided their sophistical rebuttal: “I can confirm that Russia sent a non-paper [an unofficial, unsigned diplomatic document] to NATO and that we have sent a response, noting that NATO is a defensive Alliance and none of our activities or exercises pose a risk to any part of Russia. We strongly denounce the threat of force, including any irresponsible nuclear rhetoric.” Hart added “we will not be dissuaded from our support to Ukraine. We have what it takes to defend every inch of Allied territory and remain strong, ready and able to counter any threat.”

Also today, UK’s “The i Paper” (TiP) delivered a lengthy rebuttal that opened:

“Moscow has started making nuclear threats again, this time in menacing Tuesday morning social media posts from the Russian embassy in London. ‘Any British or NATO military action against Russian territory would be met with a response using all means at Russia’s disposal, including nuclear weapons,’ the embassy wrote on Telegram and X. That might startle anybody that finds the idea of the UK or NATO attacking Russia in the first place a little far-fetched.”