The Belarusian Defence Ministry Assessed the Idea of Deploying Nuclear Weapons in Ukraine - "Deterrence Factor"
On 19 December, the Belarusian Defence Minister, Viktor Khrenin, assessed the prospects for deploying nuclear weapons in Ukraine. This idea, as one of the options for security guarantees for Kyiv in concluding a peace agreement with Moscow, is periodically voiced in Ukraine itself.
Khrenin considers this formulation of the question erroneous, since the presence of nuclear weapons in a country, in his words, is not a guarantee of security, but rather a «factor of strategic deterrence.»
«It is not for showing aggression, but so that the aggressor does not show it, first and foremost, towards us. We want peace. Do not meddle with us, but if you do — here is the answer,» Khrenin explained his view on nuclear weapons.
He stated that the same principles were followed when deploying the Russian «Oreshnik» missile system on Belarusian territory, which, according to the Defence Ministry, is already preparing to assume combat duty.
It should be noted that the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in Ukraine is regularly discussed by the leadership of the neighbouring country. For instance, at the end of November this year, the former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and now Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, listed this option among the security guarantees Kyiv is counting on when concluding a potential peace agreement with Moscow.
The Russian side considers such an option unacceptable. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously stated that he «will not allow under any circumstances» Ukraine to obtain its own nuclear weapons.