Russia is deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, a close ally. The U.S. denounced the bilateral agreement on deploying tactical nuclear as “irresponsible behavior.”
According to TASS Russian News Agency, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said “Putin had informed me on Wednesday that he had signed a decree on the transfer.” in an interview with Russian media on 25 May (local time).
He added “The transfer of nuclear munitions has begun” and “We had to prepare sites, storage, and so on.”
President Putin previously announced in March that the two countries had agreed to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Putin said “the deployment was in response to a longstanding request from Belarus‘s President Alexander Lukashenko.“
Also last month, the Belarusian Ministry of Defense announced that its military units sent to Russia had returned, training tactical nuclear weapons in the country. At the time, the Belarusian Defense Ministry explained the training in Russia was focused on operating Iskander ballistic missile system, which is able to carry nuclear warheads.
This day, Matthew Miller, the Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, said “I would say that we strongly condemn the arrangement” and “I will just add we have seen no reason to adjust our strategic nuclear posture or any indications that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon.”
