The Russian government has sent the first nuclear warheads to Belarus. The process should be completed by the end of the summer, President Vladimir Putin said. According to him, however, the nuclear weapons should not be used.
The Russian president had said that nuclear weapons should deter those who thought they could inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. “We have more such weapons than the NATO countries,” Putin said on Friday. “They know that and are constantly urging us to discuss reductions.” Russia, however, was willing to negotiate, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov put it into perspective a little later.
Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko had allowed Putin to use his country as a starting point for the offensive against Ukraine. The announcement to place Russian nuclear weapons in the neighboring country came in March. The Belarusian armed forces have been training on Russian nuclear-powered missile systems since April.
Use only when existence is threatened
Putin said on Friday that he still sees no reason to use nuclear weapons. Theoretically, this is possible if Russian territory is threatened or the survival of the state is threatened. The Russian president had repeatedly caused uproar and fear with his statements on nuclear arms control. For example, there are fears of a nuclear escalation in the war in Ukraine. Tactical nuclear weapons, such as those now deployed in Belarus, can cause devastating damage but have a shorter range than so-called long-range strategic weapons.
At the beginning of this year, amid international protests, the Russian government declared the last major agreement on nuclear weapons control on hold. The “New Start” treaty with the US had limited both countries’ nuclear arsenals and regulated inspections.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
