"Nuclear weapons in Kharkiv": political expert Tsybulko on Russia's "red lines" and Ukraine's response

He expressed this opinion on the Espreso TV channel.

"As part of the "nuclear balance", it makes sense for the Ukrainian side to request the deployment of British, for example, or American nuclear potential on the territory of Ukraine. It would be nice to have nuclear weapons in Kharkiv. It would be a reminder of the 'red lines' that Russia has crossed," Tsybulko said.

Before deploying nuclear weapons, Russia should have at least consulted with Ukraine. It was their responsibility, he said.

"Belarus authorized the deployment of nuclear weapons, despite the violation of the Budapest Memorandum, which included Belarus and Kazakhstan in addition to Ukraine. That is, if Belarus has withdrawn from the memorandum, we should raise the issue of creating a certain balance," he said.

• On March 25 last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that a storage facility for Russian tactical nuclear weapons would be completed in Belarus by July 1. Later, Lukashenka announced his readiness to receive strategic nuclear weapons from Russia, if necessary.
• In June, Lukashenka said that nuclear weapons could be used from the territory of Belarus only in case of an immediate threat to his country.
• For his part, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said that the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in the country would help "cool down the bellicose rhetoric" of the West and Ukraine.
• Later, Putin said that Russia would deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus after July 7-8, when the necessary structures would be prepared.
• In mid-June, Lukashenka said that the country had already begun receiving nuclear weapons from Russia.
• On December 27, Lukashenka said that all the planned Russian nuclear weapons had been delivered to Belarus.
• On January 16, 2024, Belarus updated its military doctrine: it now defines the country's obligations to its allies. It also specifies the use of nuclear weapons deployed on the territory of Belarus.
• ISW explained why Belarus included tactical nuclear weapons in its military doctrine.
• On January 26, Defense Express explained what a nuclear explosion simulator is, which is actively discussed by Russian propagandists.