Key takeaways:
- Russia is deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus for the first time since the fall of the Soviet Union.
- The deployment is seen as a warning to the U.S.-led NATO military alliance over its support for Ukraine.
- The deployment is also seen as a way for Russia to demonstrate its commitment to its ally and to deter any potential aggression from the West.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus’ counterpart Alexander Lukashenko met in Sochi on Friday to discuss the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Putin announced that the deployment of nuclear weapons will begin in early July, once the necessary facilities are ready.
This is the first time Russia has deployed tactical nuclear weapons outside of its borders since the fall of the Soviet Union. Putin’s announcement in March of the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus was seen as a warning to the U.S.-led NATO military alliance over its support for Ukraine.
The meeting between Putin and Lukashenko comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the West. The U.S. and its allies have imposed sanctions on Russia over its involvement in the Ukraine crisis and its alleged interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Russia has denied any interference in the U.S. election and has accused the West of trying to contain its influence in the region. The deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus is seen as a way for Russia to demonstrate its commitment to its ally and to deter any potential aggression from the West.
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