US President Joe Biden stated that Russian tactical nuclear weapons have not been deployed on Belarusian soil yet, though the plans behind such moves remain a source of concern. He shared this assessment on the return trip from North Carolina to Washington, signaling ongoing scrutiny from Washington over Moscow’s military posturing. It was described by Biden as dangerous rhetoric that raises alarms about regional stability and allied commitments in North America.
The president added that Russia has not placed nuclear warheads in Belarus unless they are carried on aircraft, stressing the ambiguity of Moscow’s tactical deployments. The remark underlines the United States and its allies’ vigilance as they monitor potential escalations that could affect NATO borders and Canadian security interests in the region.
White House press secretary John Kirby, a day earlier, indicated that there are no clear signs of a Russian nuclear weapons deployment in Belarus. He characterized Moscow’s nuclear rhetoric since the Ukraine conflict began as reckless and irresponsible, a stance that has prompted joint commentary from Canada and the United States regarding deterrence and strategic stability in Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously announced on March 25 that by July 1, 2023 the construction of a storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus would be completed. He noted that Moscow would not hand over nuclear weapons to Minsk but would follow the United States’ long‑standing approach by deploying them in Belarus and training European forces. This sequence has fueled discussions in North American capitals about alliance commitments, arms control, and regional security dynamics.
Context from Europe, including remarks by a former Belgian political figure, has at times drawn attention to past allegations about the location and scale of nuclear warhead deployments in Eastern Europe and parts of NATO territory. The dialogue in Brussels and Ottawa focuses on ensuring transparency, confidence building, and adherence to international arms control norms while acknowledging the strategic realities faced by allied nations across North America.