Putin announces agreement to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus

MOSCOW - Russia will deploy its tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, expand its strategic influence and increase its deterrent power in the face of US-led NATO's excessive military support to Ukraine.

Speaking to state broadcaster Russia 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a new deal with his neighboring ally, according to which Russia will set up a special storage facility for its tactical weapons in Belarus, with construction due to be completed by early July.

Putin also said the forthcoming deployment would not violate non-proliferation agreements, noting that the US had deployed its nuclear weapons in Europe for decades.

“Again, there is nothing unusual: First, the United States has been doing this for decades. They have long stationed their tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of their allied countries," Putin said

"We agreed that we will do the same - without violating our commitments, I stress, without violating our international non-proliferation commitments," he added.

Moscow will not transfer control of its weapons to Minsk, he added.

The decision comes amid rising tensions between Moscow and Washington, with Russia trying to deliver a stark warning to Western powers about its continued military support for Ukraine, which Russia says is fanning the flames of war.

Putin announced last month that he would suspend his membership in New START, the last remaining arms control treaty between the world's two largest nuclear powers, Russia and the US.

Moscow has also based 10 aircraft in Belarus capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons, Putin said.

According to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, about 100 US nuclear warheads are stored in Europe at six bases in five countries: Kleine Brogel in Belgium, Büchel Air Force Base in Germany, Aviano and Ghedi Air Force Bases in Italy, Volkel Air Force Base in the Netherlands, and İncirlik in of Turkey.

Putin did not specify when the weapons will be delivered to Belarus.

It would be the first time Moscow has deployed nuclear weapons outside the country since the mid-1990s.

Belarus, Russia's western neighbor spanning Ukraine's long northern border, shares a cherished relationship with Russia as it is one of Moscow's closest allies and its military campaign in Ukraine.

In February 2022, in the early days of the Ukraine-Russia war, Belarus allowed Russian troops to invade Ukraine across the border it shares with Ukraine.