NTI report calls for de-escalation of dangerous military confrontation between the West and Russia

A coalition of international statesmen, including former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn (D-GA), Des Browne, Wolfgang Ischinger and Igor Ivanov, publicly called on Western and Russian leaders to de-escalate the risks of dangerous military confrontations by adopting measures outlined in a new report issued by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).

The report, “Rising Nuclear Dangers: Steps to Reduce Risks in the Euro-Atlantic Region”, was created based on survey results from security experts from the United States, Russia and various European nations. The report offers a series of suggestions to avoid military activity accidents and enhance predictability.

The report’s recommendations to reduce overall military risk included points such as requiring all military aircraft to fly with transponders turned on, agreeing on safe distance limitations for U.S. and Russian aircraft and ships, restoring U.S.-Russia and NATO-Russia military-to-military communications, refraining from incorporating nuclear forces in military exercises, reaffirming that “nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought”, and launching a high-level dialogue on strategic stability.

“Russia and the West are at a dangerous crossroads,” the four statesmen said in a letter. “During the past several years, we have been in a state of escalation tension, trapped in a downward spiral of antagonism and distrust. Unless Western and Russian leaders take immediate steps to improve transparency and enhance predictability, they may inadvertently risk a deadly confrontation.”