In a startling revelation that has sent shockwaves across the international community, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko announced on Thursday that his country would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons, provided by close ally Russia, in the face of foreign “aggression.” This declaration comes at a time when tensions are escalating around Belarus’s borders with NATO nations, and the shadow of Russia’s war in Ukraine looms large.
Belarus’s role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been significant, with Moscow utilizing Belarusian territory as one of its launch pads for the invasion in early 2022. Joint Russia-Belarus military drills over the past year have further fueled concerns that Belarusian troops could join Russian forces in the conflict.
In June, Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly delivered nuclear warheads to Belarus for “deterrence.” While the exact details of Russia’s nuclear arsenal transported to Belarus remain unclear, US and Western officials have not publicly confirmed any weapons transfer. However, senior officials from the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) stated they had “no reason to doubt” Putin’s claim.
During an interview with state news agency Belta, Lukashenko asserted that Belarus would “never get involved in this war” unless Ukrainians crossed its border. He emphasized, “We will keep helping Russia, they are our ally.” The president’s words were laced with a stern warning that if provoked, especially by neighboring NATO countries like Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, Belarus would “immediately respond with everything we have,” including nuclear weapons.
“We didn’t bring nuclear weapons here in order to scare someone,” Lukashenko added, clarifying that these are tactical nuclear weapons, not strategic ones. “This is why we will use them immediately once aggression is launched against us.”
Senior DIA officials expressed their belief in July that Lukashenko would not have control over the arsenal, which would likely be entirely controlled by Russia. This adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
Regional Tensions
Lukashenko’s comments come at a time when the security landscape in Europe is increasingly unstable. Belarus’s northern neighbors are on edge over the presence of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, stationed in Belarus following its short-lived rebellion in Russia earlier this summer.
Recent reports of Wagner troops moving toward a thin strip of land between Poland and Lithuania have raised alarms, appearing to increase pressure on NATO and European Union members. Poland announced it would move around 10,000 troops to its border with Belarus, and Lithuania temporarily suspended operations at two of its six border checkpoints with Belarus due to concerns about Wagner forces.
Belarus responded by slamming Lithuania for taking an “unconstructive and unfriendly step,” dismissing its Wagner reasoning as “far-fetched.”
During the Thursday interview, Lukashenko denied that Putin may have been weakened by the failed Wagner mutiny, calling such claims “total nonsense.” He stated, “Putin is now more mobilized, more cunning, and wiser. Our adversaries need to know it.”
War in Ukraine
Lukashenko also weighed in on the ongoing war in Ukraine, warning that Moscow would never relinquish the Crimean territory it illegally annexed from Ukraine more than seven years ago. While Russia is open to negotiations on Ukraine, Lukashenko said it will “never ever return Crimea.”
He claimed that Ukrainians “are pushed by Americans” and don’t want to negotiate at the moment, adding that talks “have to start without preliminary conditions.” Lukashenko also insisted that any peace talks on Ukraine should include Belarus, as “we have our interests there, and our position should be heard.”
Crimea’s annexation by Russia in 2014 marked a significant turning point in the region, leading to a descent into a police state, with human rights abuses reported by observers. The occupied territory has since become a key part of the war in Ukraine, with the Crimean Bridge linking the peninsula to mainland Russia, serving as a vital supply link for Russian forces.
Lukashenko’s statements have brought the issue of nuclear deterrence to the forefront of international discourse. The situation in Belarus, coupled with the ongoing war in Ukraine and the presence of Russian mercenary groups, has created a complex and precarious security landscape in Europe.
The world watches with bated breath as leaders grapple with the implications of Lukashenko’s declaration. The stakes are high, and the path forward is fraught with uncertainty. The international community must act with caution and wisdom to navigate these turbulent waters, lest the spark of aggression ignite a fire that cannot be easily extinguished.
