When it comes to nuclear weapons, Putin announced its deployment for the first time, and the Pentagon responded!

China News Network, March 3 Comprehensive report, Russian President Putin announced an important news related to nuclear weapons in an interview on the 26th, saying that Russia will deploy tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring Belarus. Reuters said that this will be the first time Russia has deployed such weapons abroad since the mid-25s of the 20th century. Why did Putin announce this at this time? Why deploy in Belarus? And how does the United States respond to this?

Infographic: Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

When it comes to nuclear weapons, Putin has deployed them abroad for the first time

Putin said in an interview with the "Russia-25" channel on the 24th that at the request of Belarusian President Lukashenko, Russia and Belarus have agreed to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus.

Putin and Lukashenko agreed to deploy tactical nuclear weapons without violating international obligations.

"From April 4 we will start the training of all personnel," Putin said. On 3 July, we will conclude the construction of special storage depots for tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus. ”

Putin also said that Russia has helped Belarus re-equip fighters capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, and Russia has also transferred a certain number of Iskander missile systems that can carry tactical nuclear warheads to Belarus.

However, Putin also said that Moscow does not intend to transfer control of any tactical nuclear weapons to Minsk, and will only deploy its own weapons to Belarus.

He did not specify when tactical nuclear weapons would be deployed in Belarus or which nuclear weapons would be deployed to Belarus.

"Tactical nuclear weapons" are the counterpart of "strategic nuclear weapons", the former is used to achieve concrete military results on the battlefield, and the latter is used for strategic objectives.

Reuters said that this will be the first time Russia has deployed such weapons abroad since the mid-20s of the 90th century.

Why did Putin announce at this time? Two major reasons!

At a time when relations between Russia and the West continue to be tense, why did Putin choose to announce this important news at this time?

Putin explained that the British statement on the supply of depleted uranium bombs to Ukraine became the reason for Russia and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to start this negotiation.

In early March, the United Kingdom announced plans to ship depleted uranium shells to Ukraine for use in the Challenger 3 main battle tank. Moscow slammed the move as "absolutely reckless, irresponsible and with impunity" by London and Washington.

Putin said on the 25th: "As for our negotiations with Lukashenko and Belarus, I am afraid that the British Defense Secretary issued a statement on plans to supply depleted uranium weapons to Ukraine, which became the reason for us to start negotiations." Even without this statement from the United Kingdom, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has long requested the deployment of Russian-made tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of the country."

It can also be seen from this passage that Putin announced this move at this time, not only as a counterattack to the United Kingdom's supply of depleted uranium bombs to Ukraine, but also because Lukashenko has long wanted to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in the country.

Lukashenko has repeatedly raised the issue of the threat posed by the deployment of nuclear weapons by the United States to EU countries. In October 2022, he referred to "nuclear sharing" talks between Washington and Warsaw, warning that nuclear weapons could be deployed in Poland, which borders Belarus.

Lukashenko said at the time that Minsk needed to take "appropriate measures" to counter the threat, adding that he would discuss the matter with Moscow.

How will the United States, which has been doing this for decades, respond?

Putin also said in the interview that the United States has deployed nuclear weapons on the territory of its allies for many years; Therefore, there is nothing surprising about Russia's doing.

"There is nothing unusual about this either: First, the United States has been doing this for decades," Putin said. "They have long been deploying tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of the allies."

How did the United States respond to Russia's plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus?

Reuters reported that the Pentagon said that it will not change the combat readiness of US nuclear forces.

In a statement, the Pentagon said that "we have taken note of Russia's announcement... We do not see any reason to change the combat readiness of our nuclear forces, nor do we see signs that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons, and we remain committed to the collective defense of the NATO alliance. ”

Currently, U.S. nuclear weapons are deployed in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey, Russia Today reported. In 2021, Russia called on the United States to withdraw these nuclear weapons as part of its security proposal, but the United States and NATO refused.