RUSSIA HAS SENT NUCLEAR ARMS TO ITS ALLY BELARUS, PUTIN CONFIRMS

Fri 16 June 2023:

Putin has confirmed that Russia has sent nuclear arms to its ally Belarus which borders Ukraine.

“The first nuclear warheads were delivered to the territory of Belarus … This is the first part,” Putin told an annual economic forum, where AFP and media of other countries Russia deems “unfriendly” were not accredited.

The Russian leader had announced the plans to send tactical nuclear weapons – less powerful than strategic ones – in March.

“By the end of summer, the end of the year, we will complete the process,” of transferring tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, Putin said.

White House denounces nuclear rhetoric from Putin

The White House has denounced comments from Putin on the possible use of nuclear weapons, but said the United States had made no adjustments to its nuclear posture in response to the rhetoric.

The White House comments came after Putin said earlier on Friday that Russia could “theoretically” use nuclear weapons if there was a threat to its territorial integrity or existence, but that it did not need to.

Responding to questions on board Air Force One, White House deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton also reaffirmed the US commitment to NATO’s principle of collective defence.

US says ‘no reason’ to change posture

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the military has not changed its nuclear posture in response to Putin’s statement that Russia had placed nuclear arms in Belarus.

“We have no reason to adjust our own nuclear posture. We don’t see any indications that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon,” Blinken said.

Blinken called it “ironic” that Putin is putting Russian nuclear arms in Belarus when Putin justified his invasion of Ukraine as an action to prevent Kyiv from obtaining such weapons.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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