The vast majority of the United Nations Security Council is concerned about the placement of nuclear weapons in Belarus. Only Russia, owner of the warheads, thinks there is nothing wrong with the placement in the neighboring country. Russia has a veto in the Security Council, so there will be no resolution.
The Western countries present at the council meeting see the nuclear weapons in Belarus as a threat. “This is a blow to stability in Europe and international peace and security,” said the French ambassador. The UK representative stressed that Russia is not being provoked, as Moscow claims. “No one threatens Russia’s sovereignty.”
Russia believes that there is no difference between the presence of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus and US nuclear weapons in European NATO countries.
China and Brazil generally spoke out against the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Even if the Kremlin had been provoked by the West, this would not justify this action in Brasília’s eyes. “Responding to any perceived nuclear threat by placing weapons in a non-nuclear force is a violation of non-proliferation,” the Brazilian ambassador referred to the treaty that aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear warheads. “This will not make anyone any safer, regardless of who made the first move.” China demanded the withdrawal of all nuclear weapons placed abroad.
The meeting of the council was requested by Ukraine, which has been fighting the Russians in its own country for more than a year. Belarus, Russia’s closest ally, has said it welcomes nuclear weapons so it can protect itself against the West. (ANP)
