Putin announced on June 9 that Russia’s inaugural deployment of tactical nuclear weapons abroad since the Soviet Union’s collapse would start on July 7-8.
Putin asserts that the United States and its Western allies are providing weaponry to Ukraine as part of an escalating proxy conflict, aiming to weaken Russia. This allegation arises over 15 months into the longest land dispute in Europe since World War Two.
Putin Updates Lukashenko on Nuclear Deployment
In March, Putin declared his intention to deploy tactical nuclear arms in Belarus, which appeared to serve as a warning to the military alliance led by the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) regarding their support for Ukraine.
NATO leaders have pledged steadfast support for Ukraine, affirming their commitment to stand by the nation as long as necessary to defend against what Kyiv perceives as a territorial seizure by Russia that imperils Ukraine’s existence.
During their meeting at Putin’s summer residence in Sochi, situated on the Black Sea, the Russian leader assured Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that the nuclear deployment was progressing according to plan.
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Russia’s Struggle Against Expanding NATO Presence
According to a translation provided by the Kremlin, Putin stated, “The preparation of relevant facilities will conclude by July 7-8, and we will promptly commence activities related to the deployment of appropriate weaponry on your territory.” Lukashenko responded, “Thank you, Vladimir Vladimirovich.”
Putin portrays the conflict as a struggle for Russia’s survival against what he alleges is an expanding NATO military presence worldwide. He has cautioned Western nations that Moscow will not retreat from its position.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has affirmed that his nation will not cease its efforts until every Russian soldier has been withdrawn from Ukrainian territory. Zelenskiy also seeks Ukraine’s prompt accession to NATO.
The United States, NATO, and European allies closely monitor Putin’s nuclear maneuver, as does China, which consistently warns against the employment of nuclear weapons in the conflict.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States and Russia collaborated extensively to repatriate the vast Soviet nuclear arsenal that had been stationed in newly independent nations, including Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Belarus.
Since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in 1945, the United States has been the sole nation to employ nuclear weapons in a hostile manner.
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