Belarus makes war preparations, Lukashenko says
- 7 April, 07:38
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has openly acknowledged that although his country isn't actively seeking conflict, it is diligently gearing up for war. Lukashenko made relevant remarks on Tuesday.
"We're not seeking to engage in warfare, but we are making active preparations for it, and I'm being candid about this. If you desire peace, you must be ready for war," Lukashenko stated.
He also disclosed that Belarus is actively training military units and providing weaponry and equipment to its armed forces.
"If criticism arises from unfriendly nations and they complain about us, understand that we are on the right path. Conversely, if they start praising us, it's a sign of trouble," he stressed.
Despite these assertions, Lukashenko emphasized that Belarus poses no threat to any nation. "We do not need to threaten anyone. We don't want someone else's land. God grant us to process this one."
Lukashenko himself stated last February that Belarusian authorities are ready to offer their territory for a potential new offensive by Russian troops into Ukraine and warned of readiness to engage in conflict if Belarus faces aggression from Ukraine.
In 2023, the two countries agred to place Russian tactical nuclear wapons in Belarus' territory, with Putin clarifying that this move wouldn't breach the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Lukashenko had previously described the tactical nuclear missiles provided by Vladimir Putin as “national” or “own assets”, emphasizing that they would contribute to self-government and freedom for Belarus. “And don't say that ‘we will only keep it. It's not our weapon.’ These are our weapons that will contribute to sovereignty and independence,” Lukashenko said. He also disclosed plans for the restoration of sites for missiles with nuclear warheads, asserting that Belarus could potentially receive strategic nuclear weapons if needed.
“We will stop at nothing, defending our countries, our peoples,” Lukashenko had said back in March 2023. The nuclear weapons Russia sent are tactical weapons intended for battlefield use and have relatively short ranges and comparatively low yields. It is not clear how many weapons have been stationed in Belarus and it’s not immediately clear whether Minsk’s new doctrine will include the use of the Russian weapons.
