Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
The Government Media Office in Gaza: The occupation’s latest crime is further evidence of its ongoing implementation of genocide through starvation.
Gaza Government Media Office: This is a methodical use of aid as a tool of war to blackmail hungry civilians.
Gaza Government media office: Massacre committed by occupation today is a blatant war crime under international law.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Waves of injured and martyrs continue to arrive at Nasser Medical Complex following the horrific massacre near the aid distribution centers in Rafah.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: 30 martyrs and 120 wounded by Israeli fire while heading to a 'US aid distribution site' west of Rafah.
Araghchi to Grossi: These parties will bear responsibility for the consequences of their actions
Araghchi to Grossi: Iran will respond to any unlawful action by European countries or parties attempting to turn the Agency into a tool for achieving their objectives
Araghchi to Grossi: We urge the Agency to warn against the consequences of any political move against Iran
Araghchi to Grossi: We call on the Agency to highlight Iran’s full cooperation during the upcoming Board of Governors meeting next week
Araghchi to Grossi: We demand that the Agency reflect the facts in a manner that prevents certain parties from exploiting it to advance their political agendas

Western politicians pushing Europe to nuclear showdown: Lukashenko

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 30 Jun 2023 22:50
4 Min Read

The Great Patriotic War's repetition is not the smartest, given the changed balance of power, according to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

  • x
  • Russian and Belarusian Presidents speak during their meeting in the resort city of Sochi, Russia, on June 9, 2023. (AP)
    Russian and Belarusian presidents speak during their meeting in the resort city of Sochi, Russia, on June 9, 2023 (AP)

During a solemn gathering to commemorate Independence Day, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Western politicians are pressuring Europe toward a nuclear showdown, the Belta news agency said.

"As in the years of the Great Patriotic War, traitors and collaborators were not many to put together 'liberation forces'. During the Great Patriotic War, such people were presented as Belarusian partisans fighting against the communist regime. For them, it all ended tragically, with a tribunal and a scaffold. For those who hid across the ocean and who were hidden there - with oblivion and disgrace. If someone wants to repeat it, it's their choice. Not the smartest, given the changed balance of power," Lukashenko said.

According to the Belarusian President, there is only one intrigue in this story. "Will Western politicians realize that they are pushing Europe to the nuclear showdown? Do they seriously think that they will get off with a small sacrifice - Vilnius and Europe? God forbid, the worst war in history will break out. It will be hot not only in Warsaw, Kiev, or Vilnius. We, Europe as a civilization, will disappear. But they don't need it. Neither do WE. Belarus and Russia are categorically not interested in such an outcome," he said.

Two weeks ago, Lukashenko announced that Belarus will have "no hesitation" to employ nuclear weapons in case aggression is perpetrated against the country. 

"I think it is unlikely that anyone would want to fight a country that has such weapons. These are weapons of deterrence. … God forbid I have to decide on the use of these weapons in modern times. But there will be no hesitation, as long as there is aggression against us," he said, according to Belta.

Belarus itself isn't a nuclear state, but Belarus and Russia agreed to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in special storage facilities in Belarus earlier this year. 

Lukashenko said this agreement followed his "urgent demands" to Moscow to guarantee Belarus' security, describing it as a "necessary" decision so that none may "set foot" on Belarusian soil. 

Related News

EU: China-Russia ties threaten global order

EU reviews association agreement with 'Israel' over Gaza crisis

Western pressure and policies forced Belarus' hand when it came to deploying Russian tactical nuclear weapons, a senior Belarusian official said back in May.

The official said the weapons were withdrawn after the 1991 Soviet collapse, as the United States had provided security guarantees and imposed no sanctions. "Today, everything has been torn down. All the promises made are gone forever," the Belta reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in late March that Russian tactical nuclear weapons would be placed in Belarus, with the storage sites for weapons expected to be finished by July 1.

Minsk to set 'algorithm' for nuclear use in response to foreign attack

Belarus will establish a framework for the use of tactical nuclear weapons in response to any external aggression on the country, President Alexander Lukashenko said during a ceremony on Tuesday to present shoulder boards to senior military officers, Belta reported.

Responding to a question on how Belarus will use its tactical nuclear weapons, which were previously deployed by Russia on condition that Moscow will remain in control of the atomic weapons, Lukashenko considered the weapons do not necessarily have to be in the country for them to be used to protect Belarus.

The Russian President, on his part, explained then that this move will be similar to the United States' deployment of some of its nuclear arsenal in Europe, further noting that Russia's action does not violate the nuclear nonproliferation agreements (NPT).

Lukashenko stressed that while Russia's storage facilities are in great condition, Belarus has even higher-quality facilities.

Earlier this month, Putin announced that Russia delivered the first set of nuclear warheads to Belarus.

Putin said during an address at the economic forum in St. Petersburg in mid-June that Russian nuclear weapons deployed in Belarus are of deterrent nature for those oblivious in the West who assume they can inflict on Russia a strategic defeat.

  • Europe
  • Russia
  • West
  • Alexander Lukashenko
  • nuclear war
  • Belarus
  • Vladimir Putin

Most Read

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
An Israeli army vehicle moves in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 29, 2025 (AP)

Hamas rejects Witkoff ceasefire plan, says alters terms

  • Politics
  • 29 May 2025
Spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, announces a new operation against Ben Gurion Airport on May 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen announces successful hypersonic missile strike on Ben Gurion

  • Politics
  • 30 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
MIT bans class president who gave pro-Palestine speech
US & Canada

MIT bans class president over pro-Palestine speech

Arab ministers condemn Israel 'ban' on planned West Bank visit
Politics

Arab ministers condemn Israeli ban on planned West Bank visit

Major General Hu Gangfeng, Vice President, National Defense University, People's Liberation Army, China, leaves after a panel discussion during the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

China blasts Hegseth, calls US top 'troublemaker' in Asia-Pacific

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: Reports
Technology

US activists demand shutdown of Musk's 'dirty' supercomputer: NBC News

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS