💢 NATO is seeking to reassure Russia ahead of its annual nuclear exercise, Steadfast Noon, amid heightened tensions between Moscow and the alliance, Politico reports. The drills will take place in Italy from October 13–23, involving 17 NATO countries.

NATO nuclear policy director Nassima Barrows insisted the exercises are routine and predictable, giving Russia "no reason to worry" or miscalculate. The drills will involve simulated nuclear alerts and flights by nuclear-capable aircraft, but no live nuclear weapons.

The announcement follows NATO exercises near Kaliningrad in August and Moscow's subsequent warning that any attempt to isolate the Russian exclave could trigger the use of its entire arsenal, including nuclear weapons.

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