Moscow — Belarusian chief Alexander Lukashenko mentioned Thursday his nation may host nuclear weapons if it faces any exterior threats, as tensions soar between his ally Russia and the West over Ukraine. Lukashenko is because of maintain talks together with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday.
"If vital, if such silly and senseless steps are taken by our rivals and opponents, we'll deploy not solely nuclear weapons, however super-nuclear and up-and-coming ones to guard our territory," Lukashenko mentioned, in accordance with the state-run Belta information company.
"But when there are not any threats to Belarus from unfriendly nations, then nuclear weapons should not wanted right here for 100 years," he added.
Ex-Soviet Belarus, which isn't a nuclear energy, will later this month maintain a vote on constitutional reforms which may make it authorized for Belarus to host nuclear weapons.
Lukashenko, an autocrat who has been in energy since 1994, promised the referendum within the wake of historic protests towards his disputed reelection.
The constitutional reforms would additionally enable Lukashenko to stay in workplace till 2035.
Moscow and Minsk are at the moment holding joint army workout routines in Belarus, exacerbating considerations that Russia is planning to escalate the battle in Ukraine.
Belarus and Russia had mentioned that each one Russian troopers and army tools would depart after the drills conclude on February 20, however on Thursday, Lukashenko prompt that withdrawal date may change, relying on his assembly with Putin on Friday.
"If we decide, we'll withdraw in a day. If we decide for a month, they'll keep for a month. The Armed Forces [of the Russian Federation] shall be right here for so long as vital," Lukashenko mentioned. "That is our land, our territory."
The Kremlin issued no response to the Belarusian chief's remarks on Thursday, however earlier Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated that his nation's troops and weapons would depart Belarus when the joint army workout routines conclude on February 20.