Russia would cross 'a red line' if it were to base nuclear capable bombers in Cuba, a top US air force officer warned.
'If they did I think we should stand strong and indicate that is something that crosses a threshold, crosses a red line for the United States of America,' said General Norton Schwartz, nominated to be the air force's chief of staff.
He was referring to a report in the newspaper Izvestia that said the Russian military is thinking of flying long-range bombers to Cuba on a regular basis in response to US plans to install missile defences in eastern Europe.
Izvestia cited an unnamed senior Russian air force official as saying such flights were under discussion.
But it was unclear whether they would involve permanent basing of nuclear bombers in Cuba, or just use of the island as a refuelling stop.
In his confirmation hearing to become the air force's chief of staff, Mr Schwartz was asked what he would recommend if Russia were to base nuclear capable bombers in Cuba.
A White House spokeswoman declined to comment on the Izvestia report because there had been no official response from the Russian government.
