Russia says that weapons would be moved to the country’s western border as security measures
The Russian Ambassador to Belarus – Boris Gryzlov has said that Russia will place tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus near its ally’s borders with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries.
Tactical nuclear weapons have a shorter range and lower yield than strategic nuclear weapons and are designed for carrying out limited strikes on the battlefield. The move is likely to escalate tensions with the West. Russia says that weapons would be moved to the country’s western border as part of moves to ensure security.
Belarus shares borders with Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, all of which are NATO members, the military alliance originally established to deter Soviet expansion in Europe after World War II. NATO has increased the number of its troops stationed in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland by nearly tenfold since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year.
Speaking with Belarusian state television – Gryzlov said, “Russian nuclear weapons will be moved up close to the Western border of our union state. It will expand our defense capability, and it will be done regardless of all the noise in Europe and the United States”.
Gryzlov said that a storage facility would be completed by July 1, 2023, without specifying exactly where the weapons would be stationed. Prior to this, the President of Russia – Vladimir Putin had said that he plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.
Separately, the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to visit Poland on April 5, 2023, at the invitation of the President of Poland – Andrzej Duda. The 2 leaders would be discussing a host of topics including security situation, economic and political support. Zelenskyy would also be meeting the Poles and Ukrainians who have taken refuge in Poland at Warsaw’s Castle square.
Zelenskyy last met his Polish counterpart in December 2022 while returning from the United States (U.S.). Poland is Ukraine’s neighbour and 2 two countries have deep historical ties. Many Ukrainians fled their country after Russia’s invasion last year, with a large number seeking safety in Poland.
Also, the Vice Chancellor of Germany and the Minister for Energy & Economy – Robert Habeck today, i.e., Monday, April 3, 2033 arrived in Ukraine on a surprise visit. This is his first visit to Ukraine since the Russian invasion. The agenda of the visit is the reconstruction of Ukraine and cooperation in the energy sector.
The war also triggered an energy policy overhaul in Berlin, which was forced to look for alternative energy partners after abandoning its close economic relations with Russia.
