Belarusian Defence Minister explains why Minsk needs Russian nuclear weapons

This was reported by the Belarusian media.

During a speech in parliament, Khrenin expressed his belief that the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus would help prevent the war in Ukraine from escalating into a more global conflict.

"The arrival of nuclear weapons on the territory of the Republic of Belarus is an effective measure that should cool down the aggressive nature and bellicose rhetoric coming from our neighbours and prevent it from escalating into a more global, large-scale war," Khrenin said.

• On 25 May, Viktor Khrenin and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu signed a document on the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

• Shortly afterwards, self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko announced the start of the transfer of nuclear weapons to the country.

• On 27 May, US President Joe Biden said he was extremely negative about the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus