An effective response to the Russian-Belarusian saber-rattling near NATO borders must include a sharp increase in sanctions pressure on Moscow and Minsk, a significant increase in support for Ukraine, and a buildup of the Allied presence on NATO's eastern flank. This was the response of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to the Belarusian-Russian nuclear exercises, reports UNN.
Details
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and the joint nuclear exercises of the two dictatorships represent an unprecedented challenge to the global security architecture. Jointly practicing strikes directly violates fundamental Articles 1 and 2 of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), which strictly prohibit nuclear-weapon states from transferring control over mass destruction technologies and non-nuclear signatories from receiving it.
By turning Belarus into its nuclear bridgehead near NATO borders, the Kremlin is de facto legitimizing the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the world and creating a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes. Such actions must receive unequivocal and harsh condemnation from all states that respect the nuclear non-proliferation regime. The militarization of Belarus not only undermines trust in international law but also definitively turns Minsk into an accomplice in Russian nuclear blackmail
– the diplomatic department's commentary reads.
As noted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the audacity of Moscow and Minsk, which have deliberately crossed all "red lines" of the NPT, cannot remain without a tough, consolidated response and systemic deterrence of both regimes by the Euro-Atlantic community and the entire world.
An effective response to the Russian-Belarusian saber-rattling near NATO borders must include a sharp increase in sanctions pressure on Moscow and Minsk, a significant increase in support for Ukraine—which directly restrains both regimes from further expansion into Europe—a buildup of the Allied presence on NATO's eastern flank, and the deepening of security cooperation with Ukraine
– the diplomatic department concluded.
As a reminder
Belarus today began training its military from "units for the combat use of nuclear weapons and nuclear support."
