US says sending Russian nukes to Belarus 'provocative'

The US criticized Russia as “provocative, irresponsible” after Moscow and Minsk signed an agreement on sending nuclear weapons to Belarus.

“This is yet another example of Mr Putin making irresponsible and provocative choices. We remain committed to the collective defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO),” the secretary said. White House Press Karine Jean-Pierre told a press conference on May 25.

The comments were made as Moscow and Minsk signed an agreement on the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus on the same day. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that Russia had already started to implement the plan.

Jean-Pierre said the US would “monitor” the situation. “We have seen no reason to adjust US nuclear policy and there is no indication that Russia is prepared to use Belarusian nuclear weapons,” Jean-Pierre said.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller described the Russian plan as “the latest example of irresponsibility” since Moscow launched its operation in Ukraine more than a year ago. He repeated his warning that there would be “serious consequences” if biological, chemical or nuclear weapons were used in a conflict.

Russia has not yet commented on the information.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at a press conference on May 23. Photo: Reuters

President Vladimir Putin announced in March that Russia would deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. The Kremlin chief said the move was “not unusual” and the US has been doing the same for decades. He insisted he did not transfer arms control to Minsk.

Lukashenko then accused the West of “conspiring to invade Belarus” and that Russia’s deployment of tactical nuclear weapons would help protect the country from threats.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on May 25 that the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus was due to rising tensions with the West and accused the West of waging an “undeclared war” against Russia, Russia and Belarus.

It is unclear what specific weapons Russia will bring to Belarus, but in April Russia announced weapons that carry weapons, including “Belarusian attack aircraft supplemented with the ability to hit targets with nuclear weapons” and the tactical ballistic missile system. Iskander-M.