Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko talked about the circumstances that might lead to the use of nuclear weapons from the territory of Belarus during his working trip to Minsk Oblast on 13 June, BelTA has learned.

According to the Western mass media, Russia is seeking to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus ahead of the NATO summit in Vilnius on 11-12 July. They interpret these actions as an attempt at nuclear blackmail. The president was asked to dot the i's and explain why Belarus needs nuclear weapons and what the conditions for their storage and use are.

“It is not about Russia at all,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. He stressed that nuclear weapons will be deployed in Belarus at his personal request to Russia to guarantee the security of the country.

“First I asked the Russian president, then insisted in a friendly manner that they give me back these weapons [tactical not strategic]. They'd be enough for the time being,” Aleksandr Lukashenko explained.

According to the president, currently there is no need to deploy strategic nuclear weapons, for example, the Russian Topol missiles in Belarus: “Why should I need strategic Topol missiles? We are preparing sites for these weapons though. They are all operational, except one. Therefore, if need arises, we are ready to deploy these weapons at any time.”

“Topol is an intercontinental missile. Am I going to fight the United States? No, I am not. These [tactical nuclear] weapons are enough for me for now,” the head of state added.

“That was my request. It was not Russia that imposed this decision on me. Why? Because, as you all say, no one has even fought with a nuclear power. I do not want anybody to fight with us. Is there such a threat? Yes, there is. I have to prevent this threat,” the president explained.

He recalled that one of his first proposals to Russia was to equip several Belarusian multiple-launch rocket systems Polonez with nuclear warheads. The task turned out to be too complicated. Therefore, the decision was taken to prepare storage facilities and deploy tactical nuclear weapons. “Everything is ready. I think it will take a few more days, and we will have what we have asked for. And maybe even a little more,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The conditions created for the storage of such weapons, with all necessary requirements met, are comparable to a surgery block in a hospital, the head of state said. Belarus fulfilled all the requirements, and even the Russian representatives were surprised to see everything done at such a high level. They could not believe it was possible. “Yes, it is possible,” the president said. “We have prepared everything, and are implementing the program we have outlined with the president of Russia.”

Speaking about the reasons for the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, the president said: "Why do we need them? To make sure not a single foreign soldier sets their foot on the Belarusian land again."

The reason for the use of such weapons, according to him, can be only one - an aggression against Belarus. "A response will be immediate. I have declared this several times already," the Belarusian leader added.

Emphasizing the significant power of the nuclear weapons that will be deployed in Belarus, the head of state said: "I think hardly anyone will want to fight with a country that has such weapons. It's a deterrent weapon."

Belarus would like to avoid situations where nuclear weapons would have to be used. "God forbid that I have to make a decision to use these weapons. But there will be no hesitation in the event of an aggression against us," Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

Written by belta.by