Minsk vows to support nuclear nonproliferation

May 23, BPN. Minsk said it will back global efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and ban nuclear tests, according to a Facebook post by the Belarusian foreign ministry.

The post outlined the country’s priorities as a candidate for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2024-2025.

Belarus also said it will promote dialogue and trust among world powers on security issues, support peaceful solutions to conflicts and crises, and encourage cooperation between regional groups and alliances.

Belarus is a non-nuclear state. It joined the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and gave up its Soviet-era nukes in the 1990s.

In March, Vladimir Putin announced that Russia was planning to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus, pointing to the United States having them in several partner countries.

One week ago, Belarus’ envoy to the United Nations said that his country had not taken any practical steps to host tactical nuclear weapons on its territory. Valancin Rybakoŭ said that the announcement was “just a statement” and that any decisions would be made by Belarus’ government, not by any foreign government.