NATO has not observed any changes in the configuration of Russian nuclear forces

“So far, we have not observed any change in the configuration of Russia’s nuclear forces that would require a change in our nuclear configuration,” Jens Stoltenberg said in a speech delivered by video link at the NATO Conference on Arms Control and the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, held in in the American city of Washington.

The announcement regarding the transfer of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus “is part of a pattern observed for many years, but especially since the start of the invasion in Ukraine, a dangerous and irresponsible nuclear rhetoric”, Stoltenberg said, stressing that the North Atlantic Alliance monitors carefully the situation.

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman confirmed that Russia has not yet transferred nuclear weapons to Belarus. “Anyway, this is a dangerous escalation. We’ve all noticed and are concerned that President Vladimir Putin might use what he considers to be a non-strategic tactical nuclear weapon or he might make some sort of demonstration of escalation, but an escalation with managed risk. We are watching the situation closely and it is essential that we follow it closely,” said Wendy Sherman.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently stated that Russia has reached an agreement with Belarus for the stationing of tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of this country. Putin specified that the works on the complex in Belarus where the Russian nuclear weapons would be stationed will be completed by July. The Moscow administration said that the decision is Russia’s reaction to the proximity of the military infrastructure of the North Atlantic Alliance to the Russian borders.