Alliance response must be credible if Russia uses nuclear weapons, former NATO Director of Nuclear Policy says

Jim Stokes, a GLOBSEC expert and former NATO Director of Nuclear Policy (2023–2025), made the remarks in an i nterview with Ukrinform. “In this hypothetical situation, if Russia uses nuclear weapons, NATO will have to respond... The response must be credible,” Stokes said. He recalled NATO’s stated readiness to inflict damage far exceeding any potential gains. The response could involve nuclear weapons, conventional weapons, or a combination of both. The decision would be made at a later stage, as it would be unwise to reveal to an adversary where these red lines lie or exactly how a response might be formulated and carried out, the former NATO official emphasized.