Russia warns it will factor France's "nuclear umbrella" into priority target list

Alsharq Tribune-Ahmed Essam 

When identifying priority targets in the event of a hypothetical conflict, Russia will take into account France's initiatives to create a so-called "nuclear umbrella" over Europe, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on Sunday.

In an interview with RIA Novosti, Grushko said that particular attention is being given to the potential deployment of French nuclear forces in non-nuclear European states.

"It is obvious that our military will be forced to pay close attention to this matter when updating the list of priority targets in the event of a serious conflict," the Russian diplomat said.

In early March, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to increase France's nuclear warheads and expand deterrence cooperation with European partners while speaking from the Ile Longue naval base, home to France's nuclear ballistic missile submarines.