On Sunday, a senior security adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy articulated that the Russian government’s intention to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus poses a grave threat to regional stability. He emphasized that Belarus has effectively been taken “hostage” by Moscow, which raises alarming concerns for both national and international security.

Russian President Vladimir Putin officially announced this decision on Saturday, which serves as a stark warning to NATO regarding its military assistance to Ukraine. This move significantly escalates the tensions between Russia and Western nations, marking a pivotal moment in ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

While this development was anticipated, as Putin claimed it would not breach nuclear non-proliferation agreements, it represents one of Russia’s most overt nuclear postures since the onset of its invasion of Ukraine more than 13 months ago.

Oleksiy Danilov, the head of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, labeled this decision as a “step towards internal destabilization” within Belarus. He noted that it intensifies the negative perception and public rejection of Russia and Putin among the Belarusian populace, further straining relations between the two nations.

“The Kremlin has effectively taken Belarus as a nuclear hostage,” he stated on Twitter, highlighting the serious implications of this development.

Putin drew parallels between his plans and the U.S. deployment of nuclear weapons in Europe, asserting that Russia would not relinquish control over these weapons to Belarus. This marks a significant shift, as it would be the first instance since the mid-1990s that Russia has stationed such weapons outside its own territory.

Another prominent adviser to Zelenskiy expressed skepticism regarding Putin’s strategy, claiming that the Russian leader is “too predictable.” He remarked, “By announcing the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, Putin reveals his fear of losing, and his only tactic is to intimidate through threats,” as tweeted by Mykhailo Podolyak.

In response, Washington, the other major nuclear superpower, downplayed the significance of Putin’s announcement and the potential likelihood of nuclear weapons being utilized in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A senior U.S. administration official stated, “We have not observed any reason to adjust our own strategic nuclear posture, nor any indications that Russia is preparing to utilize a nuclear weapon. Our commitment to the collective defense of the NATO alliance remains firm.”

This official also noted that discussions regarding the transfer of nuclear weapons between Russia and Belarus had been ongoing for some time, indicating that this announcement was not entirely unexpected.

Analysts from the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) commented late Saturday, asserting that the likelihood of escalating to a nuclear conflict “remains extremely low.” They further stated, “ISW continues to assess that Putin is a risk-averse actor who frequently threatens nuclear action without any intention of following through, aiming to undermine Western resolve.”

However, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons condemned Putin’s announcement as an exceptionally perilous escalation. They warned, “In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the risk of miscalculation or misinterpretation is exceedingly high. The sharing of nuclear weapons exacerbates the situation significantly and poses catastrophic humanitarian risks,” as stated in a tweet.

Putin asserted that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has long requested the deployment of these weapons, although there was no immediate response from Lukashenko himself. This situation underscores the complex military dynamics at play in Eastern Europe.

While the Belarusian military has not formally engaged in the conflict in Ukraine, the relationship between Minsk and Moscow is deeply intertwined. Belarus allowed Moscow to utilize its territory to transport troops into Ukraine last year, and the two nations have significantly increased joint military training exercises.

During his address on Sunday, Putin also refuted the notion that Moscow was forging a military alliance with Beijing. Instead, he claimed that Western powers are constructing a new “axis” reminiscent of the partnerships formed between Germany and Japan during World War II.

“That is why Western analysts… are discussing the West beginning to create a new axis akin to the one established in the 1930s by the fascist regimes of Germany and Italy, along with militarist Japan,” Putin stated, reiterating a narrative he often employs regarding the Ukraine conflict—portraying Moscow as combating a Ukraine perceived to be under Nazi influence, supported by Western powers that threaten Russia.

Ukraine, a former part of the Soviet Union that has suffered immensely at the hands of Hitler’s forces, vehemently rejects these comparisons as false justifications for what they perceive as an imperialist invasion.

On the battlefield, recent days have brought a renewed sense of optimism for Ukraine regarding the grueling battle for the eastern city of Bakhmut. Bakhmut has become a critical target for Russian forces, as they aim to seize control of Ukraine’s industrialized Donbas region. Initially, Russian commanders expressed confidence that the city would fall swiftly, but such claims have dwindled amidst fierce fighting.

Ukrainian forces have successfully countered Russia’s advances in and around Bakhmut, with the overall situation stabilizing, according to Commander-in-Chief General Valery Zaluzhniy, who provided updates on Saturday.

The General Staff reported on Sunday that Ukrainian forces had repelled 85 Russian assaults in the past 24 hours across several areas of the eastern front, including the Bakhmut region, demonstrating resilience and tactical effectiveness in the ongoing conflict.