Putin: Russia regularly conducts nuclear exercises and is now conducting them with allies

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia regularly conducts nuclear exercises, noting that it is now conducting them with its Belarusian allies, stressing Moscow's full compliance with its obligations in the field of nuclear weapons.

Following the results of the Russian-Belarusian talks, Putin noted that “Russia regularly conducts exercises of strategic nuclear forces and non-strategic nuclear deterrent forces.”

He added: "The only difference now is that after deploying part of the non-strategic nuclear potential on the territory of Belarus, we are doing it (maneuvers) with our Belarusian allies."

Putin also stressed that "Moscow fully complies with its obligations in the field of nuclear weapons and does not violate anything."

President Putin explained that there is nothing unusual in the nuclear exercises conducted by Russia and Belarus, pointing out that similar exercises are taking place in NATO.

On Tuesday, the first phase of training on the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons began .

The Russian Ministry of Defense had previously announced, “Based on the instructions of the Supreme Commander of the Russian Armed Forces, President Vladimir Putin, and in order to  increase the readiness of non-strategic nuclear forces  to carry out combat missions, the General Staff has begun preparations to conduct an exercise as soon as possible with the missile formations of the region.” Southern Military, with the participation of aviation and naval forces.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also expressed its hope that the exercises conducted by the Russian Ministry of Defense on the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons would  cool the "hot heads" in Western capitals .