Russia and Belarus announced on Friday that they have made a deal to deploy Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. The move comes amid an increasingly tense relationship between the two countries, with Belarus moving closer to the West and Russia being more open to forming stronger ties with other former Soviet republics. Belarus has long relied on Russia for its security, and this move will further entrench that relationship. However, the addition of more powerful weapons on Belarusian soil could be seen as a provocation by other countries in the region and could increase tensions with Ukraine and the Baltic nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the move is necessary to “ensure the security of our citizens and our countries.”