Valery Kavaleuski, Deputy Head of the United Transitional Cabinet and its Representative for Foreign Affairs, commented on the reports of Russia’s and Lukashenka’s defense ministers endorsing documents formalizing storage of Russian non-strategic nuclear weapons in Belarus.
Valery Kavaleuski: “Lukashenka's Defense Minister Khrenin and Russia’s Shoigu took another step toward the stationing of nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus. We emphasize that the deal is illegal, as it contradicts the Constitution and the will of the Belarusian people to adopt a nuclear-free status for our country. It also violates Belarus' international obligations under the Budapest Memorandum and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
Implemented provisions will make Belarus a hostage to the decisions of an alien Russian government, which has already shown a penchant for cross-border aggression and disrespect for Belarusian sovereignty. The stationing of nuclear weapons will expand Russia's permanent military presence in our country and create new opportunities for alien control over the situation in Belarus.
This step is an ostensible threat to the independence of Belarus. We are working with international organizations and national governments to prevent this scenario and achieve a complete withdrawal of Russian troops and military facilities from the territory of our country.”
