NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that if Russia or Belarus were to use nuclear weapons, "the reaction would be devastating." He emphasized that NATO is closely monitoring the ongoing nuclear exercises between Russia and Belarus and is keeping a close eye on developments.

Rutte's statement on May 20, 2026, came amid large-scale nuclear force exercises being conducted by Moscow and Minsk from May 19 to 21. More than 64 military personnel and over 7,8 pieces of equipment are participating in the maneuvers, including missile brigades with Iskander-M systems, which have been issued special munitions. As part of the exercises, Russian military personnel have already practiced delivering nuclear weapons to field storage sites and covertly advancing to positional areas.

Earlier, the United States test-launched a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile without a warhead from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The US Air Force Global Strike Command emphasized that the launch was planned several years ago and was not related to Russia's actions.