Lukashenko, Putin should realize Ukraine will target tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus - former SBU Head Nalyvaichenko

This was stated by Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, MP and former head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), on Espreso TV.

"Putin is now saying that he will deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus with his crews and military. This means that the Bakhmut, Avdiivka and other directions - the Ukrainian Armed Forces have broken the backbone of the Russian offensive there. And once again, Putin is grabbing the nuclear stick and trying to intimidate the whole world," he said.

Nalyvaichenko reminded that the last tactical nuclear missiles were removed from Belarus in 1996.

"27 years ago, thanks to international efforts, Belarus and Russia were forced to remove tactical nuclear missiles from there. Now Putin has violated all international agreements on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. For the Belarusians, this means that they themselves and their territory are a target for the destruction of the nuclear threat," the MP added.

He believes that Putin has jeopardized the lives of Belarusians themselves.

"He is threatening Ukraine with these missiles - another nuclear threat is appearing near our border. We need to clearly raise the issue that we need long-range missiles, deploy them along the border with Belarus and prepare to neutralize and destroy tactical nuclear weapons. Lukashenko and Putin should know that Ukraine, together with its allies, is preparing to destroy and defend itself if such missiles are deployed," Nalyvaichenko summarized.

•  Vladimir Putin said that a storage facility for Russian tactical nuclear weapons will be completed in Belarus by July 1.

• The Institute for the Study of War reported that Putin announced the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus in order to intimidate the West and reduce the effectiveness of Ukraine's counteroffensive.

• NSDC Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said that the placement of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus will make Putin more unpopular in Belarus. Mykhailo Podolyak noted that this step proves that Putin is afraid of losing the war.

• Vladimir Putin said that a storage facility for Russian tactical nuclear weapons will be completed in Belarus by July 1.

• The Institute for the Study of War reported that Putin announced the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus in order to scare the West and reduce the effectiveness of Ukraine's counteroffensive.

• Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, said that the placement of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus makes Putin more unpopular in Belarusian society. Mykhailo Podolyak noted that this step proves that Vladimir Putin is afraid of losing the war.

• The German Foreign Ministry criticized Russia's placement of nuclear weapons in Belarus and called it "an intimidation attempt."

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reacted to Russia's intentions to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and demanded to convene the UN Security Council.

• In turn, the head of diplomacy of the European Union, Josep Borrell, said that if the Russian Federation deploys nuclear weapons in Belarus, the EU will introduce new sanctions.

• The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs called such an intention of the Russian president a step towards further drawing the country into the military machine.