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Deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus a forced reaction to threats — UN envoy

Sergey Rybakov pointed out that such cooperation between Russia and Belarus is not a novelty in military cooperation between a nuclear and a non-nuclear power, carried out within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty

UNITED NATIONS, March 31. /TASS/. Russia’s training of Belarusian pilots and potential deployment of tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory is an emergency, forced reaction to threats to national security, Belarusian Permanent Representative to the UN Valentin Rybakov said Friday.

"Russia’s training of Belarusian pilots, who can control planes that can carry special payload, the corresponding upgrade of such planes, just like the potential - I underscore, potential - deployment of tactical nuclear ordnance on Belarusian territory are also an emergency and forced reaction to challenges and risks for national security faced by the Republic of Belarus," he said, speaking at the UN Security Council meeting.

Rybakov pointed out that such cooperation between Russia and Belarus is not a novelty in military cooperation between a nuclear and a non-nuclear power, carried out within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"NATO has a long-standing practice of so-called joint nuclear missions. A number of NATO planes is certified for flying with nuclear weapons; crews are being trained to carry out such ‘missions,’ and corresponding exercises are being carried out. Moreover, over 150 US tactical weapons are located in a number of NATO member states - in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Turkey; over 250 planes have been prepared for their potential use," the envoy explained.

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