Lukashenko Says He Can Activate Russian Nuclear Weapons Stationed In Belarus: 'Control Is Carried Out Perfectly, Jointly'

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday warned that he possesses veto power over the utilization of tactical nuclear weapons stationed by Russia in the Belarusian territory, reported Reuters.

What Happened: Russian President Vladimir Putin in March unveiled a plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus – marking Moscow’s first instance of stationing such warheads outside of Russia since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. 

While announcing his decision, Putin clarified that deploying these weapons would not violate the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968. He said the weapons would be under the Kremlin's control, similar to how Washington formally controls U.S. nuclear weapons in Europe.

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However, Lukashenko reiterated his stance to reporters, emphasizing that he would possess veto authority over the utilization of the Russian tactical nuclear weapons – with the ultimate decision-making authority still resting with Putin.

“Control is carried out perfectly, jointly by Belarusians and Russians,” Lukashenko said, adding, “If Russia ever decided to use nuclear weapons, I am sure that it would consult with its closest ally – with us.”

“If I or our people or our state does not want something – then it means it will not happen.”

The Belarusian leader also added that he didn't want to attack the U.S. or Europe with nuclear weapons, but they were exclusively defensive.

Lukashenko also taunted Western intelligence agencies for failing to detect these warheads’ transport. “I’ll tell you a damning fact: We did not move nuclear warheads by land,” he said, pointing out that the transport of the nuclear weapons had gone undetected by prominent intelligence agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), and German intelligence.

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