Kyiv Requires UN Safety Council Session Over Putin’s Nuclear Plans

KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine on Sunday fiercely criticized plans by Russian President Vladimir Putin to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus and referred to as for an emergency U.N. Safety Council session to deal with the transfer.

Putin introduced the choice on Saturday, saying it might not violate nuclear non-proliferation guarantees and Russia wouldn’t hand off management of the weapons to Belarus.

In an announcement, Kyiv’s overseas ministry described it as “one other provocative step” by Moscow that undermines “the worldwide safety system as a complete”.

“Russia as soon as once more confirms its continual incapability to be a accountable steward of nuclear weapons as a way of deterrence and prevention of struggle, not as a instrument of threats and intimidation,” the ministry mentioned.

It demanded a Safety Council session and likewise referred to as on the Group of Seven international locations and the European Union to warn Belarus of “far-reaching penalties” if it decides to just accept the Russian weapons.

Putin mentioned in his remarks on Saturday that Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko had requested the stationing of the weapons. Minsk has not but commented publicly on Putin’s announcement.

The Belarusian military has not formally fought in Ukraine however Minsk allowed Moscow to make use of Belarusian territory to ship troops into Ukraine final 12 months. The 2 international locations share a detailed army relationship.

“Ukraine calls on all members of the worldwide group to convey to the felony (P)utin regime the specific unacceptability of its subsequent nuclear provocations and to take decisive measures to successfully deter and stop any risk of the aggressor state’s use of nuclear weapons,” the Ukrainian assertion mentioned.

(Reporting by Dan Peleschuk; Enhancing by Elaine Hardcastle and Frances Kerry)

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