President Putin: Russia does not violate international obligations by deploying nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory
When announcing that Russia would deploy tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus, President Vladimir Putin stressed that the United States had been doing this for decades.
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A Trident II D5 missile is launched from the submarine USS Mariland off the coast of Florida, USA, August 31, 2016. Photo: US Navy |
Russia's recent surprise announcement that it will deploy strategic nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory has met with strong reactions from Western countries. Ukraine also called for a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on this matter.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that there is nothing unusual about Russia deploying nuclear weapons in Belarus. The US has been doing so for decades by keeping its nuclear weapons in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Türkiye.
“They have long deployed tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of their allies. We will do the same without violating international obligations on nuclear non-proliferation,” President Putin said.
Any nuclear weapons transferred to Belarus would remain under Russian control, the Russian leader said.
Why did the US bring nuclear weapons to Europe?
Since the mid-1950s, US nuclear weapons have been deployed at numerous military sites in Europe. Then-US President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized the storage of these weapons in Europe amid allegations of a threat emanating from the Soviet Union.
Now, it’s worth noting that the 30-nation security alliance in North America and Europe itself does not “own” any nuclear weapons. Under NATO’s so-called nuclear sharing rules, nuclear warheads are stored across Europe at air bases in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Türkiye, according to the Washington-based nonprofit Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.
Accordingly, nuclear bombs as well as nuclear-armed missiles have been deployed by Washington to allied countries in Europe, including the UK (since 1954) and Greece. The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation said that since 2008, the UK has not stored US nuclear weapons. Athens also hosts US nuclear weapons on Greek territory as part of NATO's nuclear sharing agreement.
The US bases in Greece housed some nuclear weapons in the form of artillery shells, some in bombs, and some on Lance missiles. However, after Greece announced it wanted to cancel the agreement, the US removed its last nuclear weapons in 2001.
How many US nuclear weapons are in Europe?
The United States and its NATO allies are tight-lipped about the exact number of nuclear weapons stored in European warehouses. According to the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, an estimated 100 US nuclear weapons are stored at six NATO bases in five member states – Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Türkiye.
Furthermore, the “open secret” of the presence of US nuclear weapons on the European continent was accidentally leaked in 2019. The details appeared in a reference included in a nuclear deterrence policy review document. Titled “A new era for nuclear deterrence? Modernization, arms control and allied nuclear forces,” the document was written by a Canadian senator for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s Defense and Security Committee. Although it was later deleted, the reference quickly made its way to European media. A series of articles later revealed that Europe was hosting around 150 US nuclear weapons.
The US nuclear weapons stored in Europe mainly consist of B61-3 and B61-4 gravity bombs. Dual-capable aircraft can be used to deliver such nuclear weapons. Furthermore, as part of the National Nuclear Security Administration's B61-12 Life Extension Plan, upgraded warheads are scheduled to be deployed to recipient countries by 2024.
US nuclear weapons in Europe are stored in underground bunkers at the Weapons Storage and Security System (WS3). Only the US can use the Weapons Operational Authorization Link (PAL) security code, after which they are deployed on designated NATO aircraft.
Where are US nuclear weapons stored?
According to a 2019 report by NATO's affiliated agency, US nuclear weapons are stored at six bases in Europe: Kleine Brogel base in Belgium, Buchel in Germany, Aviano and Ghedi - Torre in Italy, Volkel in the Netherlands and Incirlik in Türkiye.
The report did not specifically mention what type of aircraft “could carry nuclear weapons.”
“European allies operating such aircraft are Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Türkiye,” the document said.
WikiLeaks cited a diplomatic cable from then-US Ambassador to Germany Philip Murphy in November 2009, which appeared to confirm the presence of US nuclear weapons on Dutch soil.
The cable reads: “The withdrawal of nuclear weapons from Germany, and possibly Belgium and the Netherlands, would make it politically difficult for Türkiye to maintain its stockpile in this country.”
Germany, which has not signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), is one of five NATO members that host US nuclear weapons on its territory under the bloc's nuclear sharing agreement.
According to data from the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), an estimated 10-15 B61 nuclear bombs are believed to be stored at the German Air Force's Buchel Air Base.
Similarly, Italy is a party to the NATO nuclear sharing agreement. About 40 B61 nuclear bombs are delivered to the Italian Air Force, deployed at Aviano and Ghedi Bases./.
