Lukashenko: Belarus needs Russian nuclear arms due to ‘invasion’ threats

Belarus says the Russian tactical nuclear weapons would offer protection after what it called a campaign of pressure from the United States and its allies aimed at overthrowing Lukashenko, who has been in power for nearly three decades.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has said that he had intensified talks with Russia about deploying tactical nuclear weapons in his country, alleging there were plans to invade Belarus from neighbouring Poland.

Speaking at an annual address to lawmakers and government officials on Friday, Lukashenko said Moscow’s plans to station nuclear arms in Belarus would help “safeguard” the country, which he said was under threat from the West.

“Take my word for it, I have never deceived you. They are preparing to invade Belarus, to destroy our country,” he told the audience.

President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that Russia would station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, its first deployment of nuclear armaments outside its borders since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Lukashenko went further, saying he and Putin could decide if necessary to deploy strategic nuclear weapons – more powerful systems that can destroy whole cities from a range of thousands of miles – on Belarusian soil.

Belarus said this week that the Russian tactical nuclear weapons would offer protection after what it called a campaign of pressure from the United States and its allies aimed at overthrowing Lukashenko, who has been in power for nearly three decades.

“I am not trying to intimidate or blackmail anyone. I want to safeguard the Belarusian state and ensure peace to the Belarusian people,” Lukashenko said.

US President Joe Biden said on Tuesday he was concerned about the possibility Russia would send tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus, calling the move “worrisome”.