Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that tactical nuclear weapons will be deployed in Belarus in July. The announcement was made after Putin’s meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Sochi. The move has raised concerns among government officials worldwide, with many calling for a peaceful resolution to the issue.

Belarus, a former Soviet republic, has been an ally of Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The two countries have deep political, economic and military ties, to the point that some analysts believe that Belarus has become a de facto part of Russia. The announcement of the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus has put further strain on the relationship between the West and Russia.

The decision by Putin to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus has been met with criticism from many leaders around the world. The US State Department has called the move “deeply concerning” and has urged Russia to reconsider its decision.

The European Union has also expressed concern over the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus. In a statement, the EU said that it was “monitoring the situation closely” and was seeking “further clarity on the matter”.

Despite the criticism, Putin has defended his decision to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus, arguing that it was necessary to counter what he perceives as a threat from NATO. In a statement, Putin said that “a deployment of strategic and tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus is a necessary measure to strengthen the defense capabilities of both Belarus and Russia in view of the continuing expansion of NATO’s military infrastructure on our borders”.

The announcement of the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus has raised concerns about a new arms race in Europe. Analysts warn that the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus could escalate tensions in the region and further destabilize relations between Russia and the West.