The NATO alliance on Sunday condemned Russia’s announcement that it would deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus as “dangerous and irresponsible”.
Following Moscow’s announcement on Saturday of its plan to deploy tactical warheads to neighboring Belarus, Ukraine has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The move has raised concerns among western allies, with NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu stating that there have been no indications of any changes in Russia’s nuclear posture that would require a shift in the alliance’s own position. The proposed deployment of tactical warheads is likely to further escalate tensions between Russia and the West.
Last year, Russia initiated a complete invasion of Ukraine, wherein some of its soldiers entered through its partner Belarus. Kyiv views this action as an act of “nuclear blackmail” by Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has defended this decision by drawing a comparison to the United States deployment of a portion of its nuclear arsenal on the lands of its European allies. However, this analogy has been rejected by NATO, along with Germany.
“Russia’s nuclear rhetoric is dangerous and irresponsible. NATO is vigilant, and we are closely monitoring the situation,” Lungescu said.
“Russia’s reference to NATO’s nuclear sharing is totally misleading. NATO allies act with full respect of their international commitments,” she said.
“Russia has consistently broken its arms control commitments, most recently suspending its participation in the New START Treaty,” she said.
Last month Putin said that Moscow would suspend participation in the New START treaty, the last nuclear arms control pact between Russia and the United States.
“Russia must return to compliance and act in good faith,” the NATO spokesman said.
