Biden says that Putin’s threats to use tactical nuclear weapons are real

Reuters writes about it.

During a meeting with a group of donors in California on Monday, June 19, US President Joe Biden, against the background of Russia's placement of nuclear tactical weapons in Belarus, said that the threat of Putin using such weapons is real.

"When I was out here about two years ago saying I worried about the Colorado river drying up, everybody looked at me like I was crazy. They looked at me like when I said I worry about Putin using tactical nuclear weapons. It's real," Biden said.

It is noted that on June 17, the US president called Russia's plans to move its nuclear weapons to the territory of Belarus "absolutely irresponsible".

Russian Federation's nuclear weapons situation 

On March 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a storage facility for Russian tactical nuclear weapons would be built in Belarus by July. Belarus' self-proclaimed president Lukashenko also mentioned that Belarus could have strategic nuclear weapons if needed.

On March 31, self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that Belarus could host strategic nuclear weapons if necessary.

In April, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the transfer of Iskanders, which can carry nuclear weapons, to Belarus. And in late May, the Belarusian army held exercises during which it practiced striking with Iskanders.

On June 14, the Belarusian leader claimed that nuclear weapons from Russia started to arrive in Belarus, but clarified it would only be used if Belarus faced a direct threat.

Also, on June 16, Russian leader Vladimir Putin  announced that they had transferred some nuclear warheads to Belarus, with the rest to follow by the end of the year.

Later, military analysts from the Institute for the Study of War stated that these statements confirm Russia's military control over Belarus.