Sun 26 June 2022:
As per the Russian foreign ministry, President Vladimir Putin offered to provide Minsk with nuclear-capable missile systems in order to counteract the “aggressive” West to his Belarusian counterpart.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko asked Putin to assist Belarus in mounting a “symmetrical response” in response to Lithuania’s and Poland’s “confrontational” and “repulsive” policies.
Putin responded by reassuring Lukashenko that Belarus’ Su-25 jets, which were made in Russia, could be modernized if necessary.
A foreign ministry summary of the meeting quoted him as saying, “We will transfer Iskander-M tactical missile systems to Belarus, which can use both ballistic and cruise missiles, both in conventional and nuclear versions.”
Replacing the Soviet “Scud”, the Iskander-M mobile includes two guided missiles have a range of up to 500 km (300 miles) and can carry conventional or nuclear warheads.
Putting Belarus and its close ally Russia under one umbrella, Lukashenko said, “Minsk must be ready for anything, even the use of serious weaponry to defend our fatherland from Brest to Vladivostok.”
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, tensions between Russia and the West have risen and sanctions against Moscow have increased.
Sweden and Finland, a neighbor to Russia’s north, have submitted applications to join the Western alliance as a result of the conflict in the Ukraine.
Particularly Lithuania has upset Moscow by obstructing the transit of products subject to European sanctions traveling over its territory from Russia, which Moscow has termed a “blockade.”
Although barely 1% of the regular goods transit on the route will be impacted, Lithuania has defended its decision.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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