US: "No Signs of Russian Nuclear Use... NATO Focuses on Defense"

The United States evaluated Russia, which announced the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, as showing "no signs of nuclear use."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to major foreign media on the 25th (local time), a senior U.S. government official stated, "We have no reason to adjust our strategic nuclear posture nor have we identified any signs that Russia is preparing to use nuclear weapons." He added, "We are focusing on collective defense with our North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies."

This statement came after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced an agreement to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in the allied country Belarus. Belarus shares borders with NATO member countries such as Poland and Lithuania.

The tactical nuclear weapons that Russia plans to deploy in Belarus are small nuclear weapons intended for use on the battlefield for specific objectives, not nuclear weapons capable of obliterating target areas. The exact quantity of Russia's tactical nuclear weapons is unclear.

Foreign media assessed that amid discussions about the possibility of a nuclear attack by Russia, which invaded Ukraine, the United States has so far shown a cautious response.