Russia and Belarus strike deal to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus

Russia and Belarus have reached an agreement to allow the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory, according to a statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday.

Putin said that the move would not violate nuclear nonproliferation agreements, adding that the US had already stationed nuclear weapons in the territories of European allies. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has long been advocating for the stationing of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, which shares borders with Poland.

Putin stated that Russia would complete the construction of a storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus by July 1, but Russia would not be transferring control of the arms to Minsk.

Putin’s announcement is expected to trigger alarm bells in Europe, especially in Poland, which is a NATO member and has previously opposed the stationing of nuclear weapons in Belarus. Poland’s Foreign Minister, Zbigniew Rau, criticized the move and called on the international community to condemn it, saying that it could destabilize the region. Meanwhile, NATO’s secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg also condemned the deployment, saying that it was a breach of international law.

The deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus is likely to escalate tensions between Russia and NATO, which has been on high alert in recent months following Russia’s military build-up near its borders with Ukraine. The move also risks further isolating Belarus from the West, which has already imposed economic sanctions on the country following a crackdown on opposition figures and journalists.

The development also highlights Russia’s increasing assertiveness in the region and its willingness to challenge the West. Putin has been seeking to expand Russia’s influence in Europe and Asia and has been using military power as a tool to achieve his goals. The deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus is seen as part of Russia’s efforts to project military power in the region and to counter NATO’s military capabilities.