EU urges Belarus’ authorities to refuse to host Russian nukes

April 1, BPN. The European Union condemns Russia’s plans to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus and its agreement with Belarus’ authorities, Olof Skoog, head of the EU delegation to the UN, told the UN Security Council on March 31.

“This announcement – part of continued reckless nuclear rhetoric by Russia – constitutes yet another irresponsible step, escalating an already tense situation, in view of Russia’s illegal and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine,” he said.

Belarusian authorities are complicit in Russia’s war on Ukraine, the EU diplomat stressed. The 2022 constitutional amendments removing the nuclear-free clause along with Russia’s recent announcement on the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus are troubling and dangerous, Skoog noted.

“Belarus can still make the choice to decline to host Russian nuclear weapons,” Skoog said, urging the authorities to honor all their international commitments and to reverse any decisions that increase tensions in the region.  

The EU will continue supporting Ukraine despite Russian nuclear plans in Belarus, he stressed.