Russia warned today (April 23) that any European country, including Greece, that agrees to host French strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons would make itself a target for attacks by Russian armed forces in the event of a conflict.

Specifically, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated in an interview published today that France’s actions are part of an “uncontrolled expansion” of NATO’s nuclear capabilities, which he described as a strategic threat to Russia.

These remarks follow President Macron’s announcement regarding plans to expand France’s nuclear arsenal, allowing European partners to temporarily host strategic aircraft capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Macron said he is discussing such arrangements with the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Sweden, and Denmark.

Grushko expressed Moscow’s concern over the possibility of France deploying nuclear-capable assets in other European countries. “Obviously, our military will be forced to closely monitor this issue as part of updating the list of priority targets in the event of a major conflict,” he said in an interview with the Russian media group Russia Today. “As a result, instead of the declared French strengthening of the defense of its allies — who, incidentally, are not offered any ironclad guarantees — the security of these countries is actually weakened.”

Grushko stated that any future dialogue on nuclear weapons must take into account NATO’s combined capabilities, including the arsenals of France and the United Kingdom, as well as those of the United States.