loading…
Russia will deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus starting July 7, 2023. The United States has dismissed Russia’s announcement as reckless rhetoric. Photo/REUTERS
WASHINGTON – President Vladimir Putin has announced nuclear weapons Russian tactical will be deployed to Belarus from July 7, 2023. The United States (US) condemned the announcement as reckless and irresponsible rhetoric.
Putin made the announcement Friday during a meal at the Black Sea resort of Sochi with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
“Everything is going according to plan,” Putin told Lukashenko. President Lukashenko previously claimed Russia’s deployment of nuclear weapons to Belarus had begun without detailing the evidence.
“Preparations of the relevant facilities ended on July 7-8, and we will immediately start activities related to the deployment of appropriate types of weapons on your territory,” Putin continued, according to a transcript of the Kremlin statement. .
Lukashenko responded: “Thank you, Vladimir Vladimirovich.”
Meanwhile, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Washington had heard Putin’s announcement, but saw no signs that Russia was preparing to use nuclear weapons.
Nevertheless, Kirby said, the US would oversee preparations in Belarus to host its ally’s nuclear arsenal.
“The announcement is yet another example of reckless and irresponsible rhetoric” coming from Moscow, which the US should take seriously, Kirby said.
“We are doing our best to monitor,” he told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour.
