Putin issues nuclear warning to the West: Security guarantees agreement signed in Belarus

Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that the security guarantees agreement signed between Moscow and Minsk also provides for the use of nuclear weapons.

Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko signed the document titled 'Agreement on Security Guarantees Between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus Within the Framework of the Union State' at the meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Russia-Belarus Union State held in Minsk.

Speaking at the meeting, Putin stated that it was entirely logical to sign the agreement under current conditions, saying, "The document defines mutual alliance obligations regarding the provision of defense for Russia and Belarus, the protection of sovereignty, independence, constitutional order, territorial integrity, and the external border of the Union State. Moreover, it provides for the deployment of all available forces and means."

The Russian leader underscored that the agreement also provides for the use of Russian tactical nuclear weapons deployed on Belarusian territory at the suggestion of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

The Russian President pointed out that the conditions for the use of nuclear weapons are clearly stated in the updated Russian nuclear doctrine, adding, "I am confident that this agreement will securely protect the security of Russia and Belarus, thereby creating the necessary conditions for the more peaceful and sustainable development of our states."

Russian leader Putin updated the document titled 'Fundamentals of State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Field of Nuclear Deterrence' last month. In the new doctrine signed by Putin, deterring a potential adversary from attacking Russia and its allies was placed among the highest state priorities, and Belarus was effectively mentioned in the document.

Noting that a very important addition had been made to the doctrine and that it concerned Belarus, Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergei Shoigu had stated, "Now the doctrine also defines the criteria for using nuclear weapons in the event of a conventional weapons attack on Belarus and the emergence of a threat to the existence of this country."

According to the doctrine, an attack by any country within a military coalition on Russia and its allies will be considered an attack carried out by the coalition as a whole. Furthermore, an attack on Russia and its allies by any non-nuclear state with the participation or support of a nuclear state will be considered a joint attack against the Russian Federation. Russia reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in response to the use of weapons of mass destruction against itself or its allies.

News Source: 12punto