Belarus dismisses concerns as it launches joint nuclear drills with Russia

"Military units in Belarus have begun joint training exercises with Russia on nuclear weapons combat, the Belarusian Ministry of Defence has announced. The ministry said on Monday that the exercise was a planned event and not directed at any specific third party, according to a statement quoted by the Interfax news agency. The purpose of the exercise is to test readiness and carry out combat missions from unprepared areas throughout the country, the statement added."

"Kyiv has repeatedly accused Moscow of planning to launch a new attack from Belarus, either on its territory or one of its NATO allies, such as neighbouring Baltic states. By turning Belarus into its nuclear staging ground near NATO borders, the Kremlin is de facto legitimising the proliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide and setting a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes, a Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement said."

"Kyiv has urged its Western allies to tighten sanctions against Moscow and Minsk, the Belarus capital. Such actions must face unequivocal and resolute condemnation from all states that respect the nuclear non-proliferation regime, it declared. Russian tactical nuclear weapons were stationed in Belarus after long-time ruler President Alexander Lukashenko requested their deployment."

"Belarus and its weak economy are heavily dependent on Moscow. Lukashenko has previously expressed hope that the warheads will provide greater security during the perceived threat from NATO. However, Europe's last dictator as he has been dubbed is eyeing an opportunity for sanctions relief and has recently sought to mend ties with the United States since the White House broke with Europe's hardline approach to the war in Ukraine."

Belarusian and Russian forces began joint training exercises in Belarus on nuclear weapons combat. The Belarusian Ministry of Defence said the exercise was planned, not aimed at any third party, and intended to test readiness and conduct combat missions from unprepared areas across the country. Ukraine and NATO allies expressed concern, with Kyiv accusing Moscow of preparing to launch attacks from Belarus toward Ukraine or nearby NATO states such as the Baltic countries. Ukraine said using Belarus as a nuclear staging ground would legitimize nuclear proliferation and set a dangerous precedent. Kyiv urged Western allies to tighten sanctions against Moscow and Minsk and called for unequivocal condemnation from states supporting the nuclear non-proliferation regime. Russian tactical nuclear weapons were deployed in Belarus after Lukashenko requested them, citing perceived NATO threats.

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