Putin deploys nuclear weapons in Belarus to caution the West.

OAN’s Roy Francis

1:03 PM – Saturday, June 17, 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a startling announcement – he has placed nuclear weapons in Belarus. But this move is not just about military strategy. Putin wants to send a clear message to the West: Russia cannot be defeated.

During Russia’s flagship economic forum in St. Petersburg, Putin confirmed the delivery of nuclear warheads to Belarus, a close ally. He emphasized that this is just the beginning, with more warheads to be delivered by the end of the summer or year. This deployment of warheads outside of Russia is the first since the fall of the Soviet Union.

“As you know we were negotiating with our ally, (Belarusian President (Alexander) Lukashenko, that we would move a part of these tactical nuclear weapons to the territory of Belarus – this has happened,” he said. “The first nuclear warheads were delivered to the territory of Belarus. But only the first ones, the first part. But we will do this job completely by the end of the summer or by the end of the year… It is precisely as an element of deterrence so that all those who are thinking about inflicting a strategic defeat on us are not oblivious to this circumstance.”

Putin’s decision to place nuclear weapons in Belarus is a direct response to the West’s support for Ukraine during the ongoing conflict. He wants to make it clear that Russia will not be defeated strategically. Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko confirmed the delivery of warheads, some of which are more powerful than the bombs used on Japan in 1945.

While Putin emphasized that Russia has no immediate plans to use nuclear weapons, he made it clear that they will be used if Russia’s territory or state is directly threatened. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that there is currently no indication of Russia intending to use the warheads.

“We don’t see any indications that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon,” Blinken said.

The White House and China are closely monitoring the situation, with China warning against the use of nuclear weapons in the conflict. Meanwhile, Putin is set to meet with African leaders to discuss a peace initiative presented by the African leaders themselves.

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear that Kyiv will not negotiate with Moscow while it still occupies Ukrainian territory.

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