How the world is reacting to Putin’s nuclear threat to Belarus

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, stated on Saturday that his country intends to install nuclear weapons in Belarus, prompting accusations of “nuclear blackmail” from Ukraine and criticism from the US and NATO.

By deploying nuclear weapons across the border from NATO member Poland, Putin said that his action would counteract American nuclear weapon deployments in several European nations.

In an interview with state media on Saturday, Putin stated, “We are doing what they have been doing for decades, stationing them in specific friendly nations, preparing the launch platforms, and training their crews.” “We’re going to proceed in the same manner.”

Nuclear tactical weapons are not intended for long-range assaults; rather, they are built for use on the battlefield.

Throughout his assault on Ukraine, Putin has frequently spoken up the possibility of using nuclear weapons, but his remarks over the weekend swiftly caused alarm around the globe.

Putin stated on Saturday that Russia would finish building a facility to store the weapons by July 1 and that it has already stationed 10 planes in Belarus that are equipped to carry tactical nukes.

US (United States)

The United States stated that it will “watch the significance” of Putin’s warning, but added that there was no evidence to suggest that Russia’s nuclear weapons were in motion.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO)

North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO referred to Putin’s remarks as “dangerous & reckless” in a statement released on Sunday.

“NATO is on guard, and we are keeping a close eye on the situation. The nuclear posture of Russia has not changed in a way that would prompt us to modify our own, according to a statement from NATO spokesman Oana Lungescu. “We are dedicated to defending and protecting all NATO partners.”

In February 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a threat to station nuclear-capable missiles in Belarus, which caused concern and criticism from the international community. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who is a close ally of Putin, supported the idea.

The United States, NATO, and other Western countries condemned the threat, and some analysts suggested that Putin’s move was a way to put pressure on NATO and to intimidate the West. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called the idea “unacceptable, counterproductive, and dangerous.”

The European Union also expressed its concern about the situation, with the EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, saying that the threat of nuclear weapons should not be used as a political tool.

However, despite the criticism, Putin continued to assert Russia’s right to deploy nuclear weapons wherever it deemed necessary for its defense, including in Belarus.

Overall, the threat of nuclear weapons in Belarus has raised tensions and increased concern among the international community about the potential for a nuclear conflict in Europe. The situation is likely to continue to be closely monitored and discussed by world leaders and experts.