PESKOV: EVERY MILITARY EXERCISE SENDS A SIGNAL

MOSCOW, MAY 21 /SRNA - RIA Novosti/ - Every military exercise represents a signal, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said while commenting on nuclear force maneuvers conducted by Russia and Belarus.

"All exercises are part of military planning and represent a signal," Peskov explained in response to a question about whether the joint nuclear drills of Russia and Belarus were intended as a signal to Europe and NATO.

From May 19 to 21, the Russian Armed Forces have been conducting exercises involving the preparation and use of nuclear forces in the event of possible aggression, with the participation of strategic missile forces and long-range aviation.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the Alliance was closely monitoring the nuclear force exercises carried out by Russia and Belarus.