Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko issued a stark warning on Friday, stating that his country would resort to nuclear weapons if NATO, the United States, or Poland attacks Belarus.
Threatened Third World War
This statement came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined proposals to update Russia's nuclear doctrine, according to Hotnews.
During a student forum, Lukashenko declared, “As soon as they attack us, we will use nuclear weapons. Russia will come to our aid.” He emphasized that any aggression against Belarus could escalate into a “third world war.”
Despite his aggressive stance, Lukashenko acknowledged that should Russia use nuclear weapons, NATO could respond similarly, potentially leading to an attack on Russian territory.
Joint Exercises Near Ukraine
He stated, “This is why Russia will use its entire arsenal, which would mean a world war. The West doesn’t want that; they are not prepared for it.”
Lukashenko's remarks highlight Belarus's new position under Russia's nuclear umbrella, a critical aspect of the updated nuclear doctrine discussed by Putin. The doctrine now states that nuclear weapons may be used in response to conventional attacks if they threaten the sovereignty of both Russia and Belarus.
In recent months, Russia and Belarus conducted joint military exercises near Ukraine, further intensifying regional tensions. In June, Putin announced the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus as a deterrent against NATO's expansion toward Russian borders.
The situation has drawn international concern, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging nuclear states to cease playing with humanity’s future. He noted that the current nuclear threat is reminiscent of the darkest moments of the Cold War.
