Russian Ambassador-at-large Andrey Belousov on Sunday accused the United States of viewing Europe as a potential nuclear battlefield.

Speaking in an interview with the Russian RT TV channel, Belousov said Washington’s persistent attempts to initiate discussions on Russian non-strategic nuclear weapons suggest that the US is seriously considering the possibility of using nuclear weapons in the European theater of operations.

“And, essentially, they view Europe as such a potential military theater,” he said.

Belousov argued that by pressing Russia to engage in dialogue on its non-strategic nuclear arsenal, Washington is seeking to divert international attention from the dangers posed by American nuclear weapons deployed across Europe and the broader expansion of US missile and nuclear programs.

The official said obtaining information about Russia’s non-strategic nuclear weapons through greater transparency measures, or reducing or eliminating the arsenal, could increase the likelihood of a nuclear-use scenario involving the US and its European allies.