At the Kremlin, a spokesperson for President Vladimir Putin said today the four territories of Ukraine that Russia recently claimed to have annexed will fall under the protection of Russia’s nuclear arsenal. Russia’s warning came as the United States and NATO launched nuclear war games in the skies above Belgium, the United Kingdom and the North Sea. Fourteen countries are taking part in the exercise, named “Steadfast Noon,” which involves long-range B52 bombers, surveillance and tanker aircraft, and the latest-generation fighter jets. Russia’s military is set to stage its own annual large-scale nuclear exercise called “Thunder” along Russia’s northwestern coast. Later in the broadcast, we’ll speak with Norman Solomon of RootsAction, who says, “Don’t Just Worry About Nuclear War — Do Something to Help Prevent It.”