NATO called Russian nuclear rhetoric “dangerous and irresponsible” after the announcement of the deployment of nuclear weapons

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) called Russian nuclear rhetoric “dangerous and irresponsible” after Moscow announced on Saturday a deal with Belarus for the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of this state, which borders on Ukraine.

They indicated that they see no change in Russia’s nuclear policy that would force it to reconsider the position of the Alliance itself. They also indicated that they are vigilant and are closely monitoring the situation following the announcement. Moscow.

“We are committed to protecting and defending all allies NATO”, Alliance representative Oana Lungescu told EFE.

In this regard, he called “totally misleading” Russian President Vladimir Putin’s references to NATO policy, according to which USA deployed a number of nuclear weapons in European countries, but under the custody of Washington and performing Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The spokeswoman argued that NATO allies were “fully” in compliance with their international obligations and that Russia had systematically violated its arms control obligations, in addition to suspending its participation in the New START treaty, for which reason she asked Moscow to “return to comply and act in good faith.

Putin’s statement

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced an agreement with Belarus to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in that country. As he explained, the agreement is “nothing extraordinary” because it is what the United States has been doing for decades.

“First of all, USA He’s been doing this for decades. It has long since deployed its tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of its allied countries, NATO countries, in Europe. If my memory serves me, in six countries: Germany, Turkey, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Greece,” he said on public television.

The President of Russia stressed that this agreement does not violate Russia’s obligations on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and said that on April 3, training of the Belarusian military would begin, and on July 1, the construction of a mine to deploy these weapons in the neighboring country.

“We don’t leave them. The United States does not give them to its allies, either,” he added, adding that Moscow had already upgraded aircraft of the Belarusian Air Force for this weaponry.

In February, Putin announced a suspension of his country’s obligations under START III, or New START, the last nuclear disarmament treaty still in force between Russia And USA.

(As reported by EFE)