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Reuters
Reuters
Politics

US condemns Russia moving nuclear weapons to Belarus, will not adjust nuclear posture

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu shakes hands with Belarusian Defence Minister Victor Khrenin during a meeting in Minsk, Belarus May 25, 2023. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

The United States on Thursday strongly condemned an arrangement for Russia to deploy tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, but had not seen any reason to adjust its nuclear posture, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.

"It's the latest example of irresponsible behavior that we have seen from Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine over a year ago," Miller said, repeating Washington's warning that use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons in the conflict would be met with "severe consequences," without specifying those consequences.

"I will just add we have seen no reason to adjust our strategic nuclear posture or any indications that Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon," Miller said.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis; editing by Diane Craft, Alexandra Hudson)

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