Moscow, May 10:
Belarus will join Russia during the second stage of military drills to practice the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons, and the defense ministries of both countries have received such instructions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.
Putin said he proposed for Belarus to participate in drills as Minsk hosts non-strategic nuclear weapons on its territory.
“This time they are held in three stages. At the second stage, Belarusian colleagues will join our joint actions; the relevant instructions to the defense ministries and general staff have been given,” Putin said, adding that such drills are regular and not unusual.
Putin also mentioned that he held a discussion with acting Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on May 6 and also discussed the situation around Ukraine with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on May 8.
Meanwhile, Lukashenko told reporters that Moscow and Minsk have decided to “synchornise” on non-strategic nuclear drills and hold “the second and third stages together”.
