Leaders offer nuclear weapons to allies in Russian alliance.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko promised nuclear weapons to any nation that joined Russia and Belarus, just days after confirming the transfer of Russian nuclear weapons to his country. Putin has periodically hinted at a nuclear escalation since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, dramatically increasing tensions with the United States and the West. The Union State between Russia and Belarus was formed in 1999, and allows the two former Soviet republics to integrate economically, politically and militarily. The State Department denounced the alleged deployment Thursday, calling it "the latest example of irresponsible behavior" by Russia.