The EU has said it is “ready” to adopt new sanctions against Belarus if the country agrees to deploy Russian nuclear weapons on its territory.
On Sunday, March 26, the European Union threatened Belarus with sanctions if it decided to host Russian nuclear weapons. For its part, the United States claims not to have “no indication” that Moscow transferred nuclear weapons to Belarus. Franceinfo summarizes the main events of the day.
France condemns Russian intention to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus
France on Sunday condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intention to deploy nuclear weapons “tactics” on the territory of its Belarusian ally, calling on Moscow to show “responsibility” and to reconsider its decision, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“This agreement represents a further element of erosion of the international architecture of arms control and strategic stability in Europe”underlines the spokesperson of the Quai d’Orsay. Paris calls on Russia to “demonstrate the responsibility expected of a state with nuclear weapons and to reverse this destabilizing agreement”she concludes.
Washington has ‘no indication’ that Moscow transferred nuclear weapons
“We have no indication that he kept his commitment or that no nuclear weapons were transferred”said John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, on the CBS channel, and asked about the announcement by the Russian president that Moscow was going to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.
He further stressed that nothing at this stage would bring the United States “to change (their) positioning in terms of strategic deterrence”.
EU threatens Belarus with new sanctions if it hosts Russian nuclear weapons
The head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell warned on Sunday that the EU was “ready” to adopt new sanctions against Belarus if that country were to deploy Russian nuclear weapons on its territory.
“Belarus’ hosting of Russian nuclear weapons would be an irresponsible escalation and a threat to European security. Belarus can still stop this, it’s its choice. The EU stands ready to respond with further sanctions.”said Josep Borrell on Twitter.
kyiv calls for UN meeting to end Russia’s ‘nuclear blackmail’
Ukraine on Sunday called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to counter the “nuclear blackmail” of Russia, after Vladimir Putin’s announcement that Moscow was going to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus.
“Ukraine expects effective actions to counter Kremlin nuclear blackmail from UK, China, US and France” as permanent members of the UN Security Council, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Russia “has taken Belarus as a nuclear hostage”, accuses kyiv
Ukraine on Sunday accused Russia of taking “Held hostage” Belarus after the announcement by Vladimir Putin that Moscow will deploy “tactical” nuclear missiles on the territory of its ally, at the gates of the European Union. Ukrainian Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov added that Vladimir Putin’s decision was a “step towards the internal destabilization of the country”.
The announcement from Moscow “maximizes the level of negative perception and public rejection of Russia and Vladimir Putin in Belarusian society”also advanced Oleksiï Danilov.