Russia’s agreement to deploy tactical Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus has sparked international concern, with Kiev calling on international allies to take action against “Kremlin nuclear blackmail” while the US remains cautious.

Kiev’s foreign ministry described Moscow’s move as a “another challenging step” undermining “the international security system as a whole” while NATO labels Russia’s nuclear rhetoric “dangerous and irresponsible”.

“Russia reaffirms its chronic inability to be a responsible steward of nuclear weapons as a means of war deterrence and prevention, not as a tool of threats and intimidation” the ministry reported and asked to hold a Security Council Session while at the same time called on the G7 and the European Union to warn Belarus for “major consequences” if he accepts the Russian weapons, he mentions Kiev in his statement and continues:“Ukraine calls on all members of the international community to convey to the criminal Putin regime the categorical unacceptable of this new nuclear provocation and to take decisive measures to effectively prevent any possibility of the aggressor state’s use of nuclear weapons.”

Yesterday, Saturday the Russian president, Vladimir Putin pointed out how “such a move would not violate international agreements prohibiting the proliferation of nuclear weapons” stressing that the United States had placed nuclear weapons on the soil of European allies.

NATO: Russia’s nuclear rhetoric is ‘dangerous and irresponsible’

NATO criticized Russia in turn today, commenting that it is a “dangerous and irresponsible” as she called her nuclear rhetoric, Reuters reports.

A NATO spokesman said on Sunday: “NATO is vigilant and we are closely monitoring the situation. We have seen no change in Russia’s nuclear posture that would lead us to adjust ours.

Russia’s reference to the NATO nuclear exchange is completely misleading. NATO allies act in full respect of their international commitments. Russia has consistently violated its arms control commitments, most recently suspending its participation in the New START Treaty” he said characteristically.

Borrell: Irresponsible deployment of nuclear weapons

“Shots” against Moscow that reveal the concern prevailing in the EU were also launched by the High Representative of the EU, Joseph Borel. As he said the deployment of tactical nukes in Belarus would mean “irresponsible escalation and threat to European security”he emphasizes with his post on twitter.

It adds that “Belarus can still stop it, it’s their choice. The EU is ready to respond with further sanctions.”

Podoliak: Putin is afraid of losing

From the side of Ukraine, this move by the Russian president indicates fear of losing. according to what Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, wrote on twitter today, Sunday.

“Putin (RF [Ρωσική Ομοσπονδία]) is very predictable. By making a statement about tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, he admits that he is afraid of losing and all he can do is scare with these tactics.” Podoliak said.

“Second, he states once again his participation in the crime. Violation of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons’he added.

The White House is cautious

The White House however, wanting to tone things down, he remains wary of Russia’s new plans and points out that there are no signs yet that Putin has followed through on his pledge to nuke Belarus.

Asked about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment, the National Security Council’s strategic communications coordinator John Kirby commented today sunday: “We’ll just have to watch and see where this goes.”

“We have seen no indication that it has fulfilled that commitment or that it has carried nuclear weapons,” Kirby told CBS’ “Face The Nation.”

He also pointed out that nothing currently leads the United States “to change (their) position on strategic deterrence”.