Following its initial announcement in March by Vladimir Putin, Lukashenko confirmed on Thursday, May 25 that Russia has begun moving nuclear weapons to Belarus. This move comes as a show of force by Russia in the face of western support for Ukraine.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that Russia had begun moving nuclear weapons to its western neighbour and ally, after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced plans to transfer them in March.
There were no new comments from Russia on bringing the nuclear weapons to Belarus.
Lukashenko has allowed his territory, which borders Ukraine as well as EU and NATO members Poland and Lithuania, to serve as a launching pad for Russia’s Ukraine offensive.
In March, Putin announced he would station tactical, or short-range, nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus, drawing condemnation from the West.
Lukashenko said Putin had informed him on Wednesday that he had signed a decree on the transfer.
Tactical nuclear arms are battlefield weapons that, while devastating, have a smaller yield compared to long-range strategic weapons.
Putin’s announcement had spurred fears of nuclear conflict, but experts and governments said it was unlikely that the move would change the course of the conflict.
Belarusian troops began training on nuclear-capable Russian missile systems in April.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
