Russia has criticised France's plan to expand its nuclear arsenal as a highly destabilising move that could pose a threat to Moscow. The announcement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who also announced that other European countries would participate in French nuclear exercises. Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said the move represents a significant strengthening and expansion of NATO's nuclear potential and could potentially be used in a coordinated military conflict against Russia. The Kremlin also expressed its openness to future nuclear negotiation talks following the New START treaty.