Ministry of Foreign Affairs – on the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus: The Kremlin is creating a dangerous precedent 18.05.2026 16:49 Ukrinform The stationing of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and the joint nuclear exercises of the two dictatorships represent an unprecedented challenge to the global security architecture, demanding a firm international response.
This is stated in the commentary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regarding the Belarusian-Russian nuclear exercises, Ukrinform reports.
The foreign affairs ministry reminded that the joint practice of strikes directly violates fundamental articles 1 and 2 of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which strictly prohibit nuclear-weapon states from transferring control over weapons of mass destruction technologies, and non-nuclear signatories from acquiring it.
“By transforming Belarus into its nuclear staging ground near NATO borders, the Kremlin de facto legitimizes the proliferation of nuclear weapons globally and sets a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes. Such actions must receive unequivocal and strong condemnation from all states that respect the nuclear non-proliferation regime,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated.
The ministry added that the militarization of Belarus not only undermines trust in international law but also definitively turns Minsk into an accomplice in Russia’s nuclear blackmail.
“The audacity of Moscow and Minsk, which have knowingly crossed all the ‘red lines’ of the NPT, cannot go unanswered with a firm, consolidated response and systematic deterrence of both regimes by the Euro-Atlantic community and the entire world,” the commentary emphasizes.
The foreign affairs ministry noted that an effective response to the Russian-Belarusian saber-rattling near NATO borders should include a sharp increase in sanction pressure on Moscow and Minsk, a significant boost in support for Ukraine, which directly deters both regimes from further expansion into Europe, an increase in allied presence on NATO’s eastern flank, and a deepening of security cooperation with Ukraine.
As Ukrinform reported, exercises by military units on the combat use of nuclear weapons and nuclear support began in Belarus on Monday, May 18. The Belarusian Ministry of Defense noted that the maneuvers are being conducted “to enhance the readiness of the armed forces to use modern means of destruction, including special munitions.”
Missile forces and aviation were involved in the exercises. It is claimed that during the maneuvers, “in cooperation with the Russian side,” it is planned to practice issues related to the delivery of nuclear munitions and their preparation for use.
Belarus Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nuclear weapons Russia
Джерело: www.ukrinform.ua