NUCLEAR WEAPONS MUST SAFEGUARD RUSSIA’S SOVEREIGNTY

MOSCOW, MAY 21 /SRNA/ - Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that growing tensions in the world and new threats and risks require the use of nuclear force as a means of strategic deterrence.

Putin stated that Moscow would seek to use its arsenal to maintain nuclear parity and the balance of powers at the global level, the Belarusian news agency Belta reported. He assessed that the nuclear triad must serve as a guarantee of the sovereignty of both Russia and Belarus. President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, said that his country “will not fight anyone” unless it is forced to do so. Ukraine had earlier announced that Russia was planning an attack from Belarusian territory, warning Minsk of consequences in the event of military intervention. From May 19 to 21, the Armed Forces of Russia are conducting exercises involving the preparation and use of nuclear forces in the event of possible aggression, with the participation of strategic missile forces and long-range aviation. Belarusian forces are also taking part in the exercises.