UN Security Council to discuss Russia’s nuclear plans in Belarus on March 31

March 29, BPN. The UN Security Council will discuss Russia’s plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus on March 31, Russia’s TASS reported, citing a UN source.

Western countries reportedly initiated the meeting at Ukraine’s request.

On March 28, US President Joe Biden told journalists that he was concerned about Russia’s announcement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Rossiya 24 on March 25 that a special storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons would be completed in Belarus by July 1. Western countries and Belarusian opposition leaders condemned Kremlin’s plans. China has been cautious in its reaction.

“All actions that could lead to miscalculation or escalation with catastrophic consequences must be avoided,” UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists on March 27.

All signatories must strictly adhere to their commitments and obligations under the Non-Proliferation Nuclear Treaty (NPT), he stressed.

Additional training of Belarusian pilots and an upgrade of its military aircraft to carry nuclear munitions, as well as the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus do not violate the NPT because Minsk will have no access to the nuclear arsenal, the Belarusian foreign ministry said.