NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Russia would face “devastating consequences” if it uses nuclear weapons against Ukraine.
He made the remarks at a press conference in Brussels while commenting on joint Russian-Belarusian nuclear drills.
According to Rutte, Moscow is aware of the possible consequences of such a move, but NATO continues to closely monitor developments.
The statement came amid new nuclear exercises by Russia and Belarus that began this week.
The drills involved missile forces, aviation, and other components practicing scenarios for the preparation and possible use of nuclear weapons.
Belarus said the exercises include the delivery of special ammunition, preparation for its use, and troop operations in unprepared areas.
Official Minsk said the drills are not aimed at third countries, although they come amid long-standing Russian nuclear signaling toward Ukraine and its Western partners.
This is not the first time Russia has used nuclear rhetoric as a tool of political and military pressure.
Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War have previously described such exercises as part of an information and psychological pressure campaign aimed at deterring further Western military support for Ukraine.
Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said a Russian attack on a NATO country could be possible in the near term.
