President Oleksandr Lukashenko accused the West of “preparing an invasion” of Belarus from Poland and congratulated Moscow is going to deploy Russian tactical nuclear warheads in Belarusstating that weapons are needed to protect the country, reports CNN.

In an address to the nation on Friday, Lukashenko said he had stepped up talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin about deploying both tactical and strategic nuclear weapons — more powerful ones — to counter threats from Ukraine’s Western allies, who he says are are planning a coup against him.

“If necessary, not only tactical nuclear weapons, but also strategic weapons will be introduced into Belarus,” he said, according to state media BELGA, in his first comments since Putin announced plans to complete construction of a facility with special storage facilities for tactical nuclear weapons. nuclear weapons. weapons in Belarus until the beginning of July.

Lukashenko says that the West is preparing a coup in Belarus

Moscow has already handed Belarus the Iskander short-range missile system, which can be equipped with nuclear or conventional warheads.

“Our modified aircraft can also carry a nuclear warhead. You have heard from the President of Russia about joint plans to create proper infrastructure on the territory of Belarus. I just want to clarify: the entire infrastructure is created and ready,” he said.

Lukashenko emphasized that Minsk and Moscow will make “every effort and use means to ensure their sovereignty and independence” against Poland and its “zealous” western neighbors, whom he accused of creating “regiments, banners, legions” for “further coup”. in Belarus”.

Russia can deploy intercontinental nuclear missiles in Belarus

“At the same time, the transfer of NATO troops to the east continues at an accelerated pace. Only the grouping of the bloc in Poland and the Baltic countries today has more than 21 thousand soldiers, 250 tanks, almost 500 units of armored vehicles, about 150 planes and helicopters. And this entire army defiantly trains near the borders of Belarus and Russia. The question is the same: why?” he said.

In response, the Belarusian military was instructed to “immediately restore the facilities” in Belarus, where intercontinental missile complexes with nuclear warheads were previously located. “If necessary, Putin and I will decide and introduce strategic nuclear weapons here. And those who today are trying to undermine us from the inside and outside should understand this. We will stop at nothing, defending our countries, states and their peoples,” – the Belarusian leader said, adding that he is “sure that these measures” will deter “overseas hawks and their satellites” for a long time.