The European Union has issued a warning that Russia may face additional sanctions if it follows through with its plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. On March 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin made the announcement as a clear warning to Ukraine and allied Western nations that provide military and financial support to Kyiv. NATO spoke up, condemning the move as “dangerous and irresponsible.” If the weapons are transferred, Ukraine would be closer to the combat zone and the borders of NATO. Putin’s decision was allegedly triggered by the UK’s decision to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium armor-piercing shells. This deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus would be the first time since 1996 that Russia has based nuclear weapons outside of its borders. The Pentagon has estimated that Russia has roughly 2,000 tactical nuclear weapons. The Biden administration is monitoring the situation, and Ukraine is requesting an urgent meeting of the U.N. Security Council to address the issue.