Lukashenko is turning Belarus into target for NATO – diplomat Khara

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"Lukashenko is an illegitimate president of Belarus. He is turning Belarusians and their country into a legitimate target for NATO. I would like to remind you that during the Cold War, in case of a nuclear conflict between the USSR and the US or NATO, the first strikes were to be launched against Kyiv and Minsk. This was planned so that Moscow would come to its senses and escalate further. That's why Belarusians should understand what awaits them if Lukashenko deploys tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus," Khara explained.

The diplomat emphasized that preparations for the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus had been going on for a long time.

"British depleted uranium shells are definitely not the reason for the deployment of the Russian nuclear arsenal in Belarus. The two dictators have been preparing for this step for a long time. Last year, Lukashenko amended the Constitution of Belarus, removing the non-nuclear status of the state," he added.

• On March 25, Russian leader Vladimir Putin said that a storage facility for Russian tactical nuclear weapons would be completed in Belarus by July 1.

• On March 31, self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko announced his readiness to accept strategic nuclear weapons from Russia, if necessary.