The move sends a clear political message, but some experts downplay its military significance.
Russia has moved tactical nuclear weapons from its own borders into neighboring Belarus, several hundred miles closer to NATO territory, Western officials confirmed to Foreign Policy, as Russian President Vladimir Putin threatens a wider military showdown with the alliance over its continued support for Ukraine.
The move, which Putin firstΒ announcedΒ in June of last year, is likely aimed at ramping up pressure on NATOβs eastern flank. It follows years of nuclear saber-rattling intended to scare the West into paring back its support for Ukraine, now in its third year of war against Russiaβs invasion, though top NATO officials insist that the move doesnβt drastically change the nature of Russiaβs military threats to NATO.
