Russia accused of taking Belarus ‘nuclear hostage’ with deal to station missiles there

Ukraine says Putin’s deal to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus destabilises neighbour

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Ukraine has accused Russia of destabilising Belarus and making its smaller neighbour into “a nuclear hostage” following Vladimir Putin’s announcement that Moscow has made a deal to station tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory.

The Russian president’s suggestions that the move would not breach non-proliferation agreements and that it was consistent with similar arrangements the US had with several of its European allies was given short shrift in Kyiv.