Ukraine has called for the convening of an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss Russia’s intention to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. This is stated in the statement of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
The Foreign Ministry called Russia’s statement a “provocation” that undermines the international security system in the area of nuclear deterrence.
“Such intentions cannot but cause particular concern for the entire global community,” the ministry said in a statement.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry called on the UK, China, the US and France to take action to “counter the Kremlin’s nuclear blackmail”. In addition, the agency called on G7 member countries and the EU to warn Belarusian authorities of the consequences for Belarus if it agrees to deploy Russian tactical nuclear weapons on its territory.
“Russia confirms once again its chronic failure to be a responsible manager of nuclear weapons as a means of deterrence and prevention of war, and not as an instrument of threat and intimidation. The world must be united against whoever threatens the future of human civilization,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stressed.
The ministry also called on Belarusian citizens to prevent the deployment of nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus, as this would “turn the country hostage to the Kremlin” and have “catastrophic consequences” for the future of its inhabitants.
On March 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his intention to deploy Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus soon. According to him, in early July, the construction of a storage facility in the republic, in which it is planned to organize the storage of explosive devices, will be completed. The reason for negotiations on the deployment of nuclear weapons with the Belarusian side, Putin called the UK’s statement about its intention to transfer ammunition containing depleted uranium to Ukraine.
The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, tweeted that in the event of the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus, the EU would be ready to impose new sanctions. As the head of European diplomacy pointed out, if Minsk decides to take such a step, it “could lead to an irresponsible escalation” and will be perceived as a threat to European security. “Belarus can still stop him, it’s their choice,” Borrell stressed.
NATO representative critical Russia for its “dangerous and irresponsible” nuclear rhetoric after Putin announced his intention to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus. At the same time, the North Atlantic Alliance noted that it does not yet see any changes in Moscow’s nuclear stance that could prompt the bloc to shift its priorities in this area.
How foreign countries reacted to Putin’s statement on the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus, read in the material of RTVI.
