Ukraine has condemned the deployment of russian nuclear weapons in Belarus and the joint nuclear exercises conducted by Moscow and Minsk, describing them as a serious threat to the international security system and the global non-proliferation regime.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ukraine argued that the nuclear cooperation between russia and Belarus directly contradicts the principles of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Ukrainian diplomats stressed that the actions of both countries undermine decades of international efforts aimed at limiting the spread of nuclear weapons.
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According to the ministry, the joint exercises violate Articles I and II of the NPT. These provisions prohibit nuclear-armed states from transferring control over nuclear weapons or related technologies, while also barring non-nuclear states from receiving such capabilities.
Kyiv warned that by transforming Belarus into what it described as a "nuclear bridgehead" near NATO borders, the Kremlin is effectively legitimizing the spread of nuclear weapons and creating a dangerous precedent that could be exploited by other authoritarian regimes in the future.
The Foreign Ministry also sharply criticized Minsk's role in the process. Officials stated that Belarus' growing militarization and participation in russian nuclear policy have effectively made the country a direct accomplice in Moscow's nuclear coercion strategy against Europe.
Ukrainian diplomats further argued that the actions of russia and Belarus have crossed all remaining "red lines" of the non-proliferation treaty framework. Kyiv maintains that the deployment and associated exercises represent not only a regional security challenge but also a broader threat to international law and strategic stability.
In response, Ukraine called for a stronger international reaction. The Foreign Ministry urged partners to increase sanctions pressure on both Moscow and Minsk, strengthen support for Ukraine, and expand the military presence of allied forces along NATO's eastern flank.
Kyiv also emphasized that Ukraine remains a key factor in containing what it described as the aggressive expansionist ambitions of both regimes in Europe. The statement reflects growing concern in Kyiv over the increasing military integration between russia and Belarus and its implications for European security.
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