Russia, Belarus View Tactical Nukes as Weapons of Deterrence, Belarusian President Says

© Sputnik . Andrei Aleksandrov / Go to the mediabankState colors of Russia and Belarus on the building of the Minsk Philharmonic.
State colors of Russia and Belarus on the building of the Minsk Philharmonic. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 10.05.2024
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Belarus would join Russia during the second stage of military drills to practice use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, as Minsk hosts tactical nuclear capabilities on its territory.
The world has edged closer than ever to a nuclear disaster, but Moscow and Minsk consider tactical nuclear weapons only as a means of deterrence, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday.
"One should keep one's powder dry, and that includes these deadly weapons as well. Those are weapons of deterrence. Everybody says that, but for us and for Russia, those are solely weapons of deterrence," Lukashenko told reporters in Moscow, adding that the world has "come closer to a nuclear disaster than ever before."
Russian Marines in the Special Military Op Zone - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 06.05.2024
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All weapons require maintenance and training to properly handle them, and the same goes for nuclear arms, the Belarusian president added.
Belarus and Russia announced tactical nuclear weapons drills due to the current escalation of tensions, Lukashenko also said, adding that it was his idea to synchronize the exercises.
The Belarusian leader also praised the Victory Day parade in Moscow, saying that Russia showed its power, organizing the event very thoughtfully and in tune with the times.
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