Putin announces tactical nuclear weapon deal with Belarus, Draws attention of US and Britain

Kathmandu: The President of Russia Vladimir Putin has announced that Moscow has made a deal regarding the installation of a tactical nuclear weapons station in the territory of Belarus.

Putin has shown the possibility of using nuclear strikes in Ukraine after his announcement of the deal on Saturday.

Putin has assured the deal is concerned about not violating the nuclear nonproliferation agreements. He even addressed that the United States had placed its nuclear weapons on the border of European allies countries for decades.

Putin said, ‘The deal is based upon the same trend, I emphasize, not violating our international obligations regarding the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.’

He disclosed the deal to state television. He added that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had been facing issues with installing the tactical nuclear weapons station in his nation’s territory, which shares a border with the member of NATO Poland.

Russia has planned of building the storage facility for the tactical nuclear station by 1st July.  Putin has confirmed that Russia would not shift the control of the arms to Minsk.

Russia had already staged ten aircraft, having the capacity of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, in Belarus. According to Putin, several Iskander tactical missile systems that have the potential of launching nuclear weapons had been transferred to the territory.

Putin even added that Moscow will set up a depleted uranium weapon if Kyiv would receive ammunition from the Western countries. Putin assured that Russia had adequate weapons. Britain announced that it would supply anti-tank shells to Ukraine.

A senior administration official from the United States carefully reacted to Putin’s statement that there were no signs of Moscow launching nuclear weapons.

Putin announced that Russia would go for suspension of its participation in New START last month. New START is the only remaining arms control treaty regarding nuclear power between the United States and Russia.

Russia started the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Belarus depends economically, politically, and militarily on Russia. Russian units seem to have also entered Ukraine through the Belarussian territory during the initial phase of the invasion.