Lukashenko about nuclear weapons: I want to safeguard the state and ensure peace for the people

The deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus is not about intimidation and blackmail. It is an opportunity to ensure security of the state and ensure peace for the Belarusian people. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement in his Address to the nation and the parliament on 31 March, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “In emerging conditions and the military and political situation around our country I've reactivated negotiations with the Russian president on the return of nuclear weapons to Belarus. The return of the nuclear weapons, which were removed in the 1990s.”

He reminded that back then the Belarusian government was pressured into returning the weapons to Russia not only by the West but the Russian leadership, too. Belarus agreed to remove nuclear weapons in exchange for guarantees: the country will face no pressure and no sanctions will be introduced. All the promises have been violated, the president stressed.

“You know the results. I am not trying to intimidate or blackmail someone. I've said it so many times! I want to ensure security of the Belarusian state and ensure peace for the Belarusian nation. My nation has earned it with its history, with its entire existence! We don't want to live in slavery anymore and we will not be slaves!” the Belarusian leader stated. “There have been many critical situations in our history. But we had enough wisdom to preserve ourselves and our place on the political map of the world, to defend our sovereignty. Sovereignty means that only we, citizens of Belarus have the right to talk about our national interests and determine national goals of further development in the territory of our own state.”