Фото: president.gov.by
Alyaksandr Lukashenka said that Belarus exchanged its nuclear weapons and brought newer ones from Russia during a working visit to the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve.
Lukashenka explained that Belarus needs nuclear weapons and the Oreshnik system because of the militarization of Western countries.
“They are arming themselves — 6% of GDP is billions of dollars. If you buy a rifle, you do not buy it just to hang it on the wall. Although once a year the one hanging on the wall may fire. Surely they are buying weapons around the world for a purpose. And they shout: ‘Why did Lukashenka bring in nuclear weapons, why did Lukashenka bring Oreshnik’.
“What else can I do? Should I sit and wait, as in 1941, until they come here, rape our women and kill our children? I do not want that. That is why I say: ‘Guys, nuclear weapons are a terrible thing,’” Lukashenka said.
He claimed that previously delivered nuclear weapons to Belarus were exchanged for newer ones. He acknowledged that nuclear weapons are expensive to maintain, but said Russia helps with that.
“We exchanged our nuclear weapons, so you know. We took them out to Russia and brought in the newest ones. They were put in order. It is an expensive thing to maintain. The Russians help. We brought them back. We train how to use them — from aircraft and missile systems. We do not hide this either,” he said.
He admitted that he and Vladimir Putin could decide to use nuclear weapons and the Oreshnik.
“Oreshnik is a terrible weapon; it will go on combat duty in December. For what? I want them to understand that we can strike if things go badly. We will sit down with Putin, make a decision and strike! So do not provoke us,” Lukashenka said.
In 2023 Lukashenka said that most nuclear weapons had been brought into Belarus “not overland,” unnoticed by foreign intelligence services, and that all nuclear weapons were to be delivered to the country by the end of 2023.