Nuke weapons can be deployed against threats from West: Lukashenko

If the West takes actions that threaten Belarus, nuclear weapons can be deployed in the country to protect it, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko told the media on Thursday at the Osipovichi training ground, where the military exercises "Allied Resolve 2022" are taking place, reported Xinhua.

Lukashenko noted that if there are no threats to Belarus, no nuclear weapons will appear in the country.

He said that he wants an Iskander missile systems training center to be created in Belarus. According to the president, three military training centers have been created in cooperation with Russia. The Belarusian side is also interested in training sailors in Kaliningrad or Murmansk, and in deploying Russian S-400 missile systems.

During the trip to the Osipovichi training ground, Lukashenko observed the course of the drills, which will continue on Friday and Saturday.

Lukashenko is scheduled to visit Russia and meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. He said they would discuss next steps for Russian-Belarusian integration and the issue of recognizing self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" and "Luhansk People's Republic" in eastern Ukraine.

Russia and Belarus began joint military exercises "Allied Resolve 2022" on the territory of Belarus on Feb. 10, which will continue until Feb. 20. Military units from Siberia and the Russian Far East, as well as troops of the Armed Forces of Belarus, are taking part in the drills.