MINSK, 8 August (BelTA) – Belarus prepares for war every day, every month in order to avoid it, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said in an interview with TIME Magazine, BelTA reports.
The head of state noted that Russia makes a significant contribution to strengthening Belarus’ defense capabilities. Aleksandr Lukashenko explained that Russia understands Belarus’ strategic importance for ensuring its own national security, which is why it provides support in this matter.
“Let me be absolutely frank: when we helped Russia significantly (with ammunition and more), I told my big brother, my friend: ‘You know, I understand all this – the situation is what it is, with the Poles causing trouble and all the rest. But I need strong guarantees.’ – ‘What kind?’ I said: ‘Nuclear weapons must return to Belarus.’ And they have been returned.’ Do you really think anyone would start a war against a nuclear power? Look, no matter how much you rant about North Korea, you don’t attack it,” the president remarked.
In response to a follow-up question from the journalist about Belarus’ nuclear doctrine, Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that he had signed a decree regulating the handling of nuclear weapons. “It’s stored in safe places by authorized personnel. We fully understand what this is and how to proceed. The targets are predetermined,” the head of state said.
“Russia has enough capacity to reinforce us. And we prepare for war. I’ve said this openly. Every day, every month, we prepare for war – precisely to avoid it. We know what must be done. We’ve learned from every recent war. Our doctrine is based on delivering unacceptable damage to Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia or whoever goes to war with us. Unacceptable damage. I’ve just described one element of this. So they know: while we might not win such a war, we’d give them a bloody nose. And Russia, to the extent we currently require, helps us and will help us as an ally,” the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko reminded that by the end of the year, Belarus will have the Oreshnik missile complex capable of carrying nuclear warheads. The initial deployment sites for these systems have already been identified.
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