An archive photo courtesy of TASS
MOSCOW, 14 March (BelTA) – A number of details of a conversation between Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko and President of Russia Vladimir Putin about the shipment of Oreshnik missile systems were revealed as the Belarusian head of state granted an interview to Olga Skabeyeva, a TV presenter of the TV channel Rossiya 1, BelTA has learned.
The head of state said that in a previous phone call to the Russian leader he had been persistent in finding out when Vladimir Putin’s promise to ship modern missile systems Oreshnik to Belarus would be fulfilled. In response Vladimir Putin wondered whether Aleksandr Lukashenko is aware of the fact that Oreshnik missile systems are jointly manufactured by Russia and Belarus. “I said: wait. Are you trying to shift your promise to me?” the president shared details of the conversation.
He clarified that missiles are manufactured in Russia and certainly more than a handful. While Belarus does make launch vehicles, the main platform used by the Oreshnik system. “And now I control the production of these launch vehicles,” Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked. “I think we will be ready to commission two systems by the end of the year.”
Meanwhile the location for deploying these systems in Belarus is still open to discussion. “Is it a good idea to deploy these modern missiles close to our enemies? Or should we station them somewhere outside Moscow? Or in some other position? Location? We have to clearly determine this place and come to an agreement,” the head of state explained.
In his words, the matter will be discussed during negotiations with Vladimir Putin as part of the current official visit. “I think that today and tomorrow Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] and I will discuss these matters. There is no need to rush it. We don’t want to be hasty right now. There is no need for prompt deployment of Oreshnik missiles somewhere outside [the Belarusian city of] Orsha,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “If we have to, we will deploy it. If we have to. It is a serious weapon. You cannot make it in your kitchen within six months or one month.”
Follow us on:
