European Union (EU) diplomacy chief Josep Borrell on Friday condemned Russia’s transfer of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, calling the move “a move that will lead to a new extremely dangerous escalation.”
For the EU, this decision contradicts a number of international obligations of both countries, which, among other things, require Belarus to eliminate all nuclear weapons from its territory.
“The Belarusian regime is involved in Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine. We call on the Belarusian authorities to immediately stop supporting Russia’s aggressive war and reverse decisions that could only exacerbate tensions in the region and undermine Belarus’ sovereignty. “, the High Representative for Security and Foreign Policy said in a statement.
“Any attempt to further escalate the situation will be met with a vigorous and coordinated response,” Borrell said.
Defense Ministers of Russia Sergei Shoigu and Belarus Viktor Khrenin signed this Thursday in Minsk a number of documents regulating the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus.
“In the context of an extremely strong escalation of threats and the activity of NATO’s joint nuclear missions, we are obliged to take retaliatory measures in the military-nuclear sphere,” Shoigu said.
The Russian Defense Minister stressed that as long as Russia deploys non-strategic nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus, Moscow will retain control over them and decide on their possible use.
In March, Vladimir Putin indicated that he had already agreed with his Belarusian counterpart on Moscow’s intention to deploy short-range tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.
The signing of the agreement comes at a time when Russia is preparing for a long-awaited counter-offensive from Ukraine.
Russia and Belarus have an alliance agreement under which the Kremlin subsidizes the Belarusian economy through loans and discounts on Russian oil and gas.
Author: Portuguese
Source: CM Jornal
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