Washington immediately criticized the plans, which were announced about a year after Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine began. Belarus is a close ally of Russia, and Russian troops are stationed there for deployment in Ukraine. However, US government officials made it clear that there is no evidence to date that Russia has already transferred nuclear weapons to Belarus. "They haven't done it yet," Biden said.

Meanwhile, the Russian ambassador in Stockholm warned the West that after joining NATO, Sweden and Finland would become "legitimate targets" of Russian "retaliatory measures," including those of a military nature. Viktor Tatarintsev said on the website of the Russian embassy in Sweden that once the two countries join NATO, Russia's border with NATO would "almost double". With its NATO membership application, Sweden is taking a step towards the "precipice".

In the wake of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, Sweden and neighboring Finland jointly applied to join NATO. All 30 NATO member states have to give the green light for admission, Hungary and Turkey have not yet approved Sweden's accession. Finland only needs Turkey's approval, which Ankara has promised for the near future.