In a move that has raised concerns among neighbouring countries, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Putin argues that the move will not violate nuclear non-proliferation agreements and is similar to the US stationing its weapons in Europe. There will be a storage facility for these weapons in Belarus by July, and a small number of Iskander tactical missile systems that can launch nuclear weapons have already been transferred there. However, Putin doesn’t mention exactly when the weapons will be transferred to Belarus. Moscow will still retain control of the arms. This will be the first time that Russia will have based nuclear arms outside the country since the mid-1990s. 

Belarus is a firm Kremlin ally and supporter of the invasion of Ukraine. Moving tactical nuclear weapons is not only important to Belarus for its security concerns, but it also supports Moscow’s military ambition and strengthens its hold over Belarus. It is feared that this move will fuel military tensions in Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed his plea for more military support from Western allies. Eighteen countries have signed an agreement to supply the war-torn country with at least one million artillery shells over the next year. However, in an interview with a Japanese newspaper, Zelensky stated that Ukraine could not launch a counter-offensive in the east of the country until further ammunition arrived.