While there is no winner yet in the war that has been going on for months between Russia and Ukraine, the parties continue to increase their hand with each passing day. The final move came from the Kremlin. Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that the security guarantees agreement signed between Moscow and Minsk also foresees the use of nuclear weapons.
A CRITICAL AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED BETWEEN MOSCOW AND MINSK
Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Aleksandr Lukashenko signed the document called ‘Agreement on Security Guarantees Between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus within the Scope of the Union State’ at the Supreme Council of the Russia-Belarus Union State held in Minsk.
Speaking at the meeting, Putin said that it was completely logical for them to sign the agreement in question under the current conditions and said, “The document defines mutual alliance obligations regarding ensuring the defense of Russia and Belarus, protecting sovereignty, independence and constitutional order, territorial integrity and the external border of the Union State.” “Moreover, it is envisaged that all available forces and tools will be put into action,” he said.
IT ALSO INCLUDE THE USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
The Russian leader underlined that the use of Russian tactical nuclear weapons, which were deployed on the territory of this country upon the suggestion of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, was also envisaged in the agreement.
Pointing out that the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons are clearly stated in the updated Russian nuclear doctrine, the Russian President added, “I am confident that this agreement will reliably protect the security of Russia and Belarus and thus create the necessary conditions for a more peaceful and sustainable development of our states.”
‘WE CAN DEPLOY THE ORSHNIK MISSILE TO BELARUS IN 2025’
Meanwhile, Lukashenko asked his Russian counterpart to deploy new weapon systems on Belarusian territory, including the newly developed Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile.
Responding that the Oreshnik missile can be deployed to Belarusian territory in the second half of 2025, when its production capacity increases, Putin said, “Oreshnik will be part of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces in Belarus, but the targets will be determined by Minsk.”
The Russian President underlined that Oreshnik missiles will be supplied to Belarus in parallel with their inclusion in the Russian army’s inventory.
Noting that some technical problems need to be solved before the Oreshnik missiles are deployed to Belarus, Putin stated that the minimum range should be determined, especially taking into account the security priorities of Belarus.
“The lower the range of Oreshnik, the greater the power of the warhead will be,” Putin continued, emphasizing once again that the missiles in question are unique in the world.
The Russian leader also noted that in case of a group fire with the Oreshnik missile system, its power would be equal to a nuclear weapon, but it would not cause any radioactive consequences.
DOCTRINE UPDATED: NOW INCLUDING BELARUS
Russian leader Putin updated the document ‘Foundations of the State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Field of Nuclear Deterrence’ last month. In the new doctrine signed by Putin, deterring potential adversaries from attacking Russia and its allies was among the highest state priorities, and Belarus was actually mentioned in the document.
Noting that a very important addition was made in the doctrine and that it was related to Belarus, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoygu said, “The doctrine has now also defined the criteria for using nuclear weapons in case of an attack on Belarus with conventional weapons and a threat to the existence of this country.” .
According to the doctrine, an attack by any country within a military coalition against Russia and its allies will be considered an attack by the coalition as a whole. Additionally, any attack by a non-nuclear state against Russia and its allies, with the participation or support of a nuclear state, will be considered a joint attack against the Russian Federation. Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to the use of weapons of mass destruction against itself or its allies.
Source: Sputnik