Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, announced on Saturday that he would send tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, a friend and neighbor that sits on the doorstep of the European Union.
Putin has previously made oblique threats that if Russia were attacked, he might use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, reviving Cold War-era anxieties.
Following a British suggestion that it could provide Ukraine with the controversial weapons, he added that he would use depleted uranium ammunition if Kyiv got it from the West.
Putin stated that it was “not unusual” for tactical nuclear weapons to be deployed to Belarus.
“The United States has been doing this for decades. They have long placed their tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of their allies,” Putin said.
Putin claimed he spoke with Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus and that “we agreed to do the same.”
He continued by saying that “without violating our international agreements on nuclear-nonproliferation…10 planes are ready for the use of this type of weapon,” Russia had assisted Belarus in equipping its aircraft.
According to Putin, Belarus now has an Iskander system from Russia that is capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
It intends to complete the building of a unique storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons by July 1 and will begin crew training on April 3.
