Ukraine Calls for UN Security Council Meeting, Accusing Russia of Nuclear Blackmail

NATO has strongly condemned Russia’s recent rhetoric regarding the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, calling it “dangerous and irresponsible.” This criticism follows Vladimir Putin’s announcement on Saturday that Russia plans to station nuclear weapons in Belarus. NATO emphasized that there have been no changes in Russia’s nuclear posture that would lead to a shift in its own stance.

A NATO spokesperson said on Sunday: “NATO is vigilant, 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,” and reaffirmed that NATO’s nuclear sharing programs are conducted in full compliance with international agreements. The statement also pointed out that Russia had consistently violated arms control treaties, including suspending its participation in the New START treaty.

In response, Ukraine has demanded an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, labeling Russia’s nuclear deployment plans as “another provocative step” that undermines global security. Oleksiy Danilov, Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council secretary, accused Russia of turning Belarus into a “nuclear hostage.” Ukrainian presidential aide Mykhaylo Podolyak stated that Putin’s actions violated the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and amounted to “nuclear blackmail”.

The EU’s Josep Borrell also criticized the plan, warning Belarus against hosting Russian nuclear weapons, describing it as an “irresponsible escalation” that threatens European security. He suggested that Belarus still has the option to prevent the deployment and urged the EU to respond with further sanctions if the situation escalates.

In the United States, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated there was no evidence that Russia had yet moved nuclear weapons to Belarus, despite Putin’s announcement. Kirby added, “We have not seen any indication that he (Putin) has made good on this pledge or moved any nuclear weapons around.”

This development comes amid rising tensions as the war in Ukraine continues, with a recent explosion in Kireyevsk, Russia, attributed to a Ukrainian drone attack. In addition, concerns about Ukrainian refugees being increasingly targeted for sexual exploitation have been raised, according to research.

Meanwhile, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is set to visit Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant next week to assess the critical security situation there, as the risk of accidents and nuclear mishaps in the region grows amid the ongoing conflict.