Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited Belarus to sign a treaty offering security guarantees, including the possible use of Russian nuclear weapons, to protect Moscow’s closest ally.

Summary

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty with Belarus offering security guarantees, including the potential use of Russian nuclear weapons to counter aggression.

This follows Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine, which places Belarus under its nuclear umbrella.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko requested advanced weapons, including Oreshnik missiles capable of reaching all of Europe, which Putin agreed to deploy next year under Russian control.

The treaty has drawn criticism, with opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya warning it tightens Moscow’s grip on Belarus and escalates regional security risks amid ongoing tensions with the West over Ukraine.