NATO reacts to Russia’s tactical nukes announcement

Russia’s statements about the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory the previous day received a very harsh response from NATO.

NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu made the statement. Speaking about Russia’s rhetoric about deploying tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil, Lungescu said: “Russia’s nuclear rhetoric is dangerous and irresponsible. NATO is alert and we are closely monitoring the situation. We didn’t see any change in Russia’s nuclear posture that would change our posture. We are committed to protecting and defending all NATO allies. Russia’s reference to NATO’s nuclear division is completely misleading. NATO allies act in full respect of their international commitments. Russia has permanently suspended its participation in the New START Treaty. “Russia must return to abide by the agreement and act in good faith,” she said.

STATEMENT BY THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION OF BELARUS

Belarusian opposition leader Tsikhanouskaya said the deployment of weapons on Belarusian territory violates the 1990 Declaration of Belarusian State Sovereignty.

“Russia’s deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus directly violates the Belarusian constitution and largely contradicts the will of the Belarusian people to assume non-nuclear state status expressed in the 1990 Belarusian Declaration of State Sovereignty,” Tsikhanouskaya said. “Russia is acting as an occupying power, violating national security and putting Belarus on a path of conflict with its neighbors and the international community. Lukashenko (president of Belarus) is a proven channel of Russian ambitions, he cannot be associated with the Belarusian state and the will of the people. “This unacceptable development, which makes Belarus a potential target for retaliatory strikes, is complicity in violations of international law, crimes against humanity, crimes against Ukraine, and war crimes against the Ukrainian people, with the strong support of the Kremlin. ”.