Russia to send tactical nukes to Belarus

White House remains cautious, says it would 'monitor implications' of plan

MOSCOW — Russia will deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday, sending a warning to NATO over its military support to Ukraine and escalating a standoff with the West.

Putin said the move was triggered by the United Kingdom's decision this past week to provide Ukraine with armor-piercing rounds containing depleted uranium.

He said Russia's move would not violate nuclear nonproliferation promises. But it is one of Moscow's most pronounced nuclear signals since the beginning of its special military operation in Ukraine 13 months ago, Reuters commented.