The United States reiterates that it has no indication that Russia is preparing a nuclear weapon

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March 26 () –

The United States government has reiterated this Saturday that it does not have any information from the country’s intelligence indicating that Russia is preparing a nuclear weapon, after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced an agreement with Belarus to deploy tactical nuclear weapons.

“We have seen no reason to adjust our own strategic nuclear posture and no indication that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told .

Patel, however, has stressed that the State Department “will continue to monitor the implications” of the plan announced by Putin to transfer tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus.

Hours earlier, Putin announced an agreement with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko, which includes a deployment of tactical nuclear weapons “without violating the non-proliferation regime”, in response to the British announcement of the supply of depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine.

Putin has explained that the construction of the facilities for the storage of tactical nuclear weapons — which will remain under Russian control — in Belarus will be completed on July 1.

In addition, he has stressed that this shipment of nuclear weapons does not violate non-proliferation agreements because the United States has had nuclear weapons in other countries for years.

Belarus has had Iskander tactical missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads for months and Russia already has up to ten nuclear-capable combat aircraft deployed in Belarusian territory.