the launch of what President Vladimir Putin said is Russia’s new nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile on Thursday, March 1, 2018. – Copyright AP/AP
The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has cautioned Belarus about allowing Russia to station tactical nuclear weapons on its territory.
Borrell tweeted: “Belarus hosting Russian nuclear weapons would mean an irresponsible escalation & threat to European security. Belarus can still stop it, it is their choice. The EU stands ready to respond with further sanctions.”
In an interview on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the move was triggered by Britain’s decision last week to provide Ukraine with armour-piercing rounds containing depleted uranium.
Tactical nuclear weapons are intended for use on the battlefield. They have a short range and a low yield compared with much more powerful nuclear warheads fitted to long-range missiles.
The move also drew swift condemnation from NATO spokesperson Oana Lungescu, who called it “dangerous and irresponsible”.
about:blank
The US says there has been no indication Russia has moved nuclear weapons across its border.
“We have not seen any reason to adjust our own strategic nuclear posture,” the US Defense Department said in a statement.
On Sunday, Ukraine called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council, with Ukrainian Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov saying the Kremlin had taken Belarus “nuclear hostage”.
It is a “step towards the internal destabilisation of the country,” he added.
Putin said Russia planned to maintain control over the nukes it sends to Belarus, with the construction of storage facilities to be completed by 1 July.
He didn’t say how many nuclear weapons Russia would keep in Belarus, which shares a long border with Ukraine and NATO members Poland, Lithuania and Latvia.
The US government believes Russia has about 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons, including bombs that can be carried by tactical aircraft, warheads for short-range missiles and artillery rounds.
