Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus. There's Biden's comment

President Joe Biden condemned the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Alyaksandr Lukashenko announced on Thursday that the transfer of tactical nuclear weapons from Russia to Belarus has already begun. US President Joe Biden said on Friday that his reaction to Russia's plans was “extremely negative”.

The defense ministers of Russia and Belarus, Sergei Shoigu and Viktar Khrenin, signed an agreement on Thursday formally accelerating the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory. Shoigu noted that Russia would retain control over these weapons.

War in Ukraine. Biden on nuclear weapons from Russia

Alyaksandr Lukashenko said on Thursday that the transfer of tactical nuclear weapons from Russia to Belarus has already begun, the Reuters agency reported, citing Russian state media. Vladimir Putin announced the transfer of nuclear weapons from Russia to Belarus at the end of March.

Earlier, Russia concluded an agreement with Belarus on the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons on its territory.

In Putin's opinion, the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus will not violate the agreements on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

- Taking into account the political and military situation, we are implementing tasks aimed at strengthening the common defense space together with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus. We focus on training soldiers and improving their combat capabilities, said the Russian defense minister.

Putin announced that the construction of a facility for storing tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus is to be completed on July 1. The Russians will transport the Iskander missile system, which can be a carrier of nuclear weapons. Appropriate training was also provided to Belarusian soldiers.