LONDON: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that Russian tactical nuclear weapons would be physically deployed on the territory of Belarus “in several days” and he had the facilities to host longer-range missiles too if ever needed. He also that said he wouldn’t hesitate to order the use of the weapons if his country faces an aggression.
“God forbid I have to make a decision to use those weapons today, but there would be no hesitation if we face an aggression,” Lukashenko said, according to the state news agency BelTA. Russian President Putin said on Friday that Russia will retain control of the tactical nuclear weapons, but Lukashenko’s statement contradicted that. Putin had also said Russia would start deploying the arms in Belarus after special storage facilities to house them were made ready on July 7-8. The step is being watched closely by the US and its allies as well as by China, which has cautioned against the use of nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war.
Lukashenko was cited by BelTA as saying that Belarus was now ready to host the warheads. “Everything is ready. I think we will have what we asked for in a few days,” he was quoted as saying.
“God forbid I have to make a decision to use those weapons today, but there would be no hesitation if we face an aggression,” Lukashenko said, according to the state news agency BelTA. Russian President Putin said on Friday that Russia will retain control of the tactical nuclear weapons, but Lukashenko’s statement contradicted that. Putin had also said Russia would start deploying the arms in Belarus after special storage facilities to house them were made ready on July 7-8. The step is being watched closely by the US and its allies as well as by China, which has cautioned against the use of nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war.
Lukashenko was cited by BelTA as saying that Belarus was now ready to host the warheads. “Everything is ready. I think we will have what we asked for in a few days,” he was quoted as saying.