 NATO could consider a nuclear deployment of its own to counter Russia. President Vladimir Putin's announced plan to put nuclear arms in Belarus may pose risks to NATO's nuclear posture. A similar risk emerged in the 1980s when Moscow fielded a new missile aimed at Europe and Japan. Then NATO responded by deploying its own missiles. It might consider this option again according to the Hill Edition. In February 2022, Belarus decided to allow nuclear arms on its territory. And last month Putin said Russia would, if necessary, introduce them. Some short-range Iskander ballistic missiles were said to be in Belarus and a nuclear weapons storage facility would be ready by July 1. Russia's ambassador in Minsk said the arms would be placed close to the western border near Poland. Putin also said 10 Belarusian combat aircraft had been configured to carry nuclear weapons. But a wary Kremlin might worry that NATO has dense air defences and that a disloyal Belarusian pilot could bomb Russia. Moscow would not likely share control link with Minsk over any nuclear arms in Belarus. Poland is alert to the threat. Last October President Andrei Dudar said it was discussing nuclear sharing with the US. If Russia does not station nuclear arms in Belarus, Warsaw may request NATO consultations. There is precedent. Four decades ago, as the USSR secretly deployed hundreds of SS-20 intermediate-range missiles against Europe and Japan, West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt appealed to NATO. It responded by deploying 572 US intermediate-range missiles in Europe, 108 Pershing-2 ballistic missiles in West Germany and 464 GLS-CMs in five European member states, including West Germany.