Russia’s Putin, Belarus’ Lukashenko discuss tactical nuclear exercises

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Belarus Thursday for talks with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko. The talks focused primarily on security matters and discussions regarding exercises involving tactical nuclear weapons.

Minsk is slated to participate in these exercises, aimed at simulating preparations for the deployment of smaller nuclear warheads intended for battlefield use.

Upon his late evening arrival, Putin, as quoted by Russian news agencies, mentioned discussing cooperation issues with Belarus during a recent cabinet meeting in Moscow.

He emphasized the significance of these discussions, stating, “Today and tomorrow we will be discussing all this, including security matters, which we have given considerable attention to.”

“There is a lot to talk about. Everything is stable, and things are going well for us,” he added.

Discussions regarding the second phase of exercises involving tactical weapons were also on the agenda, with Putin highlighting the direct involvement of Belarusian counterparts in these military events.

Russian news agencies reported that the two presidents continued informal discussions late into Thursday evening ahead of a full day of meetings scheduled for Friday.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced earlier this week that the country’s forces had commenced the first stage of exercises aimed at simulating readiness for the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons.

Moscow has linked these exercises to what it perceives as “militant statements” by Western officials, including French President Emmanuel Macron, which it views as a threat to its security.

Analysts suggest that Putin’s maneuvers are intended as a warning to deter Western involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. While Western countries have provided weapons and intelligence to Kyiv, they have refrained from deploying troops.

Belarus has offered logistical support to Russia during its conflict with Ukraine, including allowing Russian forces to enter Ukrainian territory from Belarusian soil during the initial offensive against Kyiv in February 2022.

However, Lukashenko himself has not dispatched troops.

Lukashenko, in power since 1994, has been a longstanding ally of Putin and drew closer to him after securing his support against mass protests challenging the legitimacy of Lukashenko’s reelection in 2020.

Earlier Thursday, Belarusian state news agency Belta reported that Lukashenko had appointed Pavel Muraveyko as the new chief of the Belarusian army’s general staff.