![Nuclear Weapons In Belarus? US Frets Russia's Troop Arrival 'Not Normal'](https://c.ndtvimg.com/2019-08/i40o289_russia-us-flag-reuters-650_625x300_03_August_19.jpg)
Nuclear Weapons In Belarus? US Frets Russia's Troop Arrival 'Not Normal'
NDTV
Russian military forces were moving into Belarus after Moscow-allied strongman Alexander Lukashenko announced Monday that the two countries will conduct military exercises next month.
The United States is worried that the arrival of Russian troops in Belarus for exercises could lead to a permanent presence that might introduce nuclear weapons into the country, a senior State Department official told reporters Tuesday.
Russian military forces were moving into Belarus after Moscow-allied strongman Alexander Lukashenko announced Monday that the two countries will conduct military exercises next month.
The move, which came without the advance notice customarily provided to countries in the region, added to rising tensions with the West over the possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, which borders Belarus.
The US official, speaking on grounds of anonymity, said the size of the Russian force arriving in Belarus was "beyond what we'd expect of a normal exercise."