The key facts
- Boris Gryzlov declared Russia's and Belarus's readiness to repel a threat of any nature and scale
- Russian tactical nuclear weapons are stationed in Belarus, and the Oreshnik systems are on combat duty
- Earlier, on October 22, the defense ministries of the two countries agreed to develop a joint group of forces and a unified air defense system
Statement by the ambassador in Minsk
Russia and Belarus are ready to repel any threat regardless of its nature and scale, and any military aggression against the Union State will be met with a harsh and resolute response. This was stated by Russian Ambassador to Minsk Boris Gryzlov in an interview with the National Defense magazine, as cited by Life.ru.
On military measures and the European direction
The diplomat recalled that Russian tactical nuclear weapons are stationed in Belarus and that the Oreshnik missile systems are on combat duty; according to him, these measures ensure the security of the Union State's western borders. Gryzlov also drew attention to statements by European politicians about preparing for a possible military conflict by 2030, emphasizing that Moscow and Minsk harbor no aggressive plans toward European countries. In his assessment, Russia and Belarus are ready to restore cooperation with Europe, but the initiative must come from the European states themselves: “It was not we who froze these relations.”
Context: October agreements between the defense ministries
The ambassador's statement complements recent decisions by the two countries: as Life.ru previously reported, citing Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, on October 22, at a meeting of the defense ministries of Russia and Belarus, agreements were reached on developing the joint group of forces, military infrastructure, and a unified air defense system of the Union State. Thus, Gryzlov's words about readiness to repel a threat of any scale rest on measures already taken to strengthen the union's military component, not merely on declarations.
