EU calls on Belarus not to deploy Russian nuclear weapons on its territory

Olof Skoog, the head of the EU delegation to the UN, made the statement during a meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss Putin's threats to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

"Belarus can still make the choice to decline to host Russian nuclear weapons. We therefore call on the Belarus authorities to put an immediate stop to their support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and reverse any decision that would only contribute to heightening tensions in the region," Skoog said.

He emphasized that threats to use nuclear weapons are "unacceptable".

"Russia's decision will not weaken our resolve to support Ukraine," the diplomat said.

In addition, Skoog called on the Russian Federationto resume implementation of the New START treaty with the United States.

• On March 25, Vladimir Putin said that a storage facility for Russian tactical nuclear weapons would be completed in Belarus by July 1. 

• Earlier, on February 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the temporary suspension of Russia's participation in the New START treaty.