Borrell: EU ready to respond with further sanctions to Russian nuclear weapons deployment in Belarus

Belarus hosting Russian nuclear weapons would mean an irresponsible escalation and threat to European security, EU High Representative Josep Borrell wrote on Twitter on 26 March, reacting to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that Russia will station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus

“Belarus can still stop it, it is their choice. The EU stands ready to respond with further sanctions,” said Borrell.

The day earlier, on 25 March, Borrell expressed the EU’s support for the Belarusian people on Freedom Day, which commemorates Belarus’ declaration of independence in 1918. 

The leader of the Belarusian pro-democratic forces, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, called on Belarusians and the international community to mark Belarus Freedom Day as an International Day of Solidarity with Belarus.  

“This year it takes on a particular significance in the context of Lukashenko’s illegitimate regime’s increasing domestic repressions, and continued actions to undermine Belarus independence and sovereignty by subduing it to Russia and collaborating with its illegal aggression against Ukraine,” said Borrell. “The Belarusian people continue to demonstrate exceptional courage in fighting for freedom and their fundamental rights.”

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Borrell tweet

Press release