On July 11th, the Black Sea Women in Nuclear Network (BSWN) conducted another session of the Black Sea Experts NucTalks, titled “Deployment of Russian Tactical Nuclear Weapons in Belarus: Risks of Escalation and Influence on Nonproliferation Regime.” Twenty-six participants from Ukraine, the US, Germany, Portugal, Moldova, Georgia, Turkey, and Belgium took part in the event.
The NucTalk was symbolically held on the first day of the NATO Summit, where the question of Ukrainian NATO membership was at the top of the agenda.
Event was moderated by Dr. Valeriia GERGIIEVA, a Visiting Fellow at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH) at the University of Hamburg, Germany and a Research Fellow at the Odesa Center for Nonproliferation (OdCNP).
Four speakers contributed to this session with their remarks and answers to the questions. Three speakers are the members of the BSWN: Dr. Polina SINOVETS – Head and Founder of the Odesa Center for Nonproliferation (OdCNP); Dr. Tetiana MELNYK – Non-Resident Fellow at the OdCNP and accredited parliamentary assistant on political affairs at the European Parliament; Dr. Nataliia MELNYK – Head of the Ukrainian Civil Society Hub.
Invited speaker: Tim THIES – Researcher in the Working Group on Arms Control and Emerging Technologies at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH) at the University of Hamburg.
During the session, speakers provided essential information regarding the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus. Participants explored the associated risks and discussed the potential impact on the broader nonproliferation regime. Additionally, experts addressed NATO policy and Ukraine’s reaction to this challenge. The Q&A session was filled with crucial discussions, primarily focusing on additional challenges and risks, as well as the identification of red lines that could lead to regional security escalation.
Watch the recorded NucTalk session, now available on our YouTube channel. Explore the discussion, gain deeper insights, and expand your understanding of the topic.
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