WESTERN INVOLVEMENT INCREASES CHANCES OF NUCLEAR WAR: BELARUS

Fri 31 March 2023:

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko says Western support for Kyiv increased the likelihood of a nuclear war breaking out in Ukraine.

“As a result of the efforts of the United States and its satellites, a full-scale war has been unleashed in (Ukraine) … a third world war with nuclear fires looms on the horizon,” the president said during a televised address to lawmakers and Belarusians.

The president also said Russia’s plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in his country were a chance to safeguard Minsk from Western threats.

Belarusian president calls for a truce

Belarusian strongman and close Kremlin ally Alexander Lukashenko called for a “truce” and talks “without preconditions” between Moscow and Kyiv.

“We must stop now, before an escalation begins. I’ll take the risk of suggesting an end of hostilities… a declaration of a truce,” Lukashenko said during a televised state of the nation address.

“All territorial, reconstruction, security and other issues can and should be settled at the negotiation table, without preconditions,” added Lukashenko, who has been in power since 1994.

Moscow has 5,977 nuclear warheads in its inventory, according to the Federation of American Scientists, and has long had the capability to strike a target anywhere in the world. The US has slightly fewer, at 5,428.

Last week, the US Department of Defense said, that there were no indications that Russia was preparing to use nuclear weapons after Moscow’s announcement.

“We have seen reports of Russia’s announcement and will continue to monitor this situation,” the department’s press office said. “We have not seen any reason to adjust our own strategic nuclear posture, nor any indications Russia is preparing to use a nuclear weapon. We remain committed to the collective defence of the Nato alliance.”

US nuclear weapons are believed to be stored in six bases: Kleine Brogel in Belgium; Büchel airbase in Germany; Aviano and Ghedi airbases in Italy; Volkel airbase in the Netherlands; and İncirlik in Turkey.

Russia, Belarusian players can compete at Wimbledon as neutrals

Wimbledon will allow Russian and Belarusian players to compete as ‘neutrals’ this year, having banned players from the two countries last year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Our current intention is to accept entries from Russian and Belarusian players subject to them competing as ‘neutral’ athletes and complying with appropriate conditions,” the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said.

“The conditions have been carefully developed through constructive dialogue with the UK Government, the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) and international stakeholder bodies in tennis, and are aligned with the Government’s published guidance to sporting bodies in the UK.”

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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