NATO states that Vladimir Putin's plan to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus is dangerous and irresponsible and a threat to Russia's nuclear non-proliferation commitments.
Putin made a similar plan on Saturday to the U.S. stationing its weapons in Europe and insisting that Russia wouldn't violate its nuclear non-proliferation promises.
The move is one of Russia's most pronounced nuclear signals yet, and a warning to NATO over its military support for Ukraine.
NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said on Sunday Russia's nuclear rhetoric is dangerous and irresponsible. NATO is closely monitoring the situation and we are closely monitoring the situation. We have not seen any changes in Russia's nuclear posture that would lead us to adjust our own. She said that Putin's non-proliferation pledge and his description of US weapons deployment overseas were way off the mark.
Russia's move was significant because it had until now been proud that unlike the United States, it did not deploy nuclear weapons outside its borders, according to experts. It may be the first time since the mid- 1990s that it has done so.