Putin threatens to deploy Oreshnik missiles to Belarus before year’s end

August 1, Pozirk. Russian President Vladimir Putin said he might deploy Oreshnik missile systems to Belarus before the end of the year.

He made the statement at a joint news conference with his Belarusian counterpart, Alaksandar Łukašenka, on the Russian island of Valaam today.

According to Putin, “work is currently underway to prepare these positions.”

Łukašenka at the conference stressed that Russia was about to prevail in its war against Ukraine. Kyiv should beg Putin to “sit down at the negotiating table” to “reach a deal.”

Otherwise, “in a month, a month and a half, or two, there won’t be any defensive structures left—the Russians will slowly bite it [Ukrainian territory] off, regain and advance,” the Belarusian ruler said.

Łukašenka also mocked US President Donald Trump’s deadline for Moscow to agree to a ceasefire before August 8 or face sweeping new sanctions and tariffs.

Originally set at 50 days, the deadline was abruptly shortened to 10-12 days following Russia’s deadly missile strikes.

“Fifty, sixty, ten days—that’s not how politics is done. If he wants peace, he must get involved carefully and thoroughly. This is a military conflict, and you cannot dictate there, especially to a nuclear power. Listen, this is just ridiculous,” Łukašenka said.