Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus? NATO 'vigilant'

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, pictured during a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in Minsk on January 29, 2023. AP

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday (March 15th) that Russia would deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, and that he had the agreement of Minsk. Ukraine calls for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Kiev wants China, France, the UK and the US to respond. NATO did it on Sunday. So does the European Union. But Washington is waiting to see.

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Russian rhetoric is dangerous and irresponsible " said NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu. "NATO is vigilant and we are closely monitoring the situation," she added.

For the time being, "we have not seen any change in Russia's nuclear posture that would lead us to adjust ours," the spokeswoman said.

The Russian president explains that he took this decision because London will send depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine, recalls our correspondent in Brussels, Laxmi Lota. But also because the United States "has long deployed its tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of its allies."

But for NATO, this comparison is "totally misleading". "Russia has consistently violated its arms control commitments," the Alliance spokeswoman said. "It has suspended its participation in the new strategic arms reduction treaty," she said.

For now, none of the countries cited by Ukraine to respond to the Russian announcement has reacted, except the United States, but not necessarily in the direction that was desired.

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We have no indication that it has fulfilled its commitment or that no nuclear weapons have been transferred. " said Sunday John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, on CBS.

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In fact, we have no indication that he intends to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. ", he added, stressing that at this stage, nothing led the United States "to change (its) position in terms of strategic deterrence".

In contrast, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that the EU stands "ready" to adopt new sanctions if Minsk deploys Russian nuclear weapons on its territory.

This "would constitute an irresponsible escalation and a threat to European security," he said. Belarus "can still stop this, it's their choice," Borrell said.

► READ ALSO: Russia announces the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus

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Read on on the same topics:

  • Belarus
  • Alexandre Loukachenko
  • Russia
  • Vladimir Poutine
  • NATO
  • Nuclear
  • Ukraine
  • European Union
  • Defense