Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that nuclear weapons have been installed in Belarus, a European ally, but he also emphasized that Moscow does not need to use nuclear weapons.

According to the Reuters news agency, President Putin has confirmed for the first time regarding nuclear weapons, which is also a message to Western countries that Russia cannot be defeated strategically.

“As you know, we were discussing with our ally (Belarusian President) Lukashenko to transfer some tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, so that’s done,” President Putin said at an event in St. Petersburg. ‘

“The first war weapons have been delivered to Belarus, but only the first part. This stage (of installation) will be completed by winter or by the end of the year.’

These war weapons include short-range nuclear weapons that can be used on the battlefield.

President Putin said that Russia has installed nuclear weapons outside the country for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, which is actually intended to warn Western countries against providing support and arms to Ukraine.

“This is only to prevent (unpleasant action) so that all those who are thinking of giving us a strategic defeat will not be ignorant of this kind of situation.”

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that Russia has begun receiving tactical nuclear weapons that are three times more powerful than the atomic bombs that the United States dropped on Japan in 1945.

President Putin said that Western countries are making every possible effort to defeat Russia strategically in Ukraine.