NATO asks Russia ‘not to worry’ despite earlier threats

Moscow has advised the bloc against testing its patience and pushing Europe “closer towards the point of no return” NATO’s upcoming nuclear drills in Italy are pre-planned and no reason for Russia to “miscalculate,” the bloc’s nuclear policy director, Nassima Barrows, has claimed. The comments came despite NATO’s continued aggressive rhetoric towards Moscow.On Wednesday, Estonia’s foreign minister claimed to The Times that NATO has the capability to close the Baltic Sea “within hours,” cutting Russia’s economic “lifeline” and creating an “existential” crisis for the country. Last week, Swedish Air Warfare Centre chief Colonel Carl Bergqvist said his country’s warplanes were ready to attack targets deep inside Russian territory in the event of a conflict with Moscow.NATO said on Thursday that 17 member states will take part in the Steadfast Noon nuclear deterrence exercises between October 13 and 23, further adding to tensions between Russia and the West. In late September, Moscow sent a stern message to NATO, saying it will use “its entire available arsenal” if the bloc threatens Russia’s Kaliningrad Region. The warning followed major drills by NATO aircraft near the Russian Baltic...