By MINSK, Belarus — Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has warned of the potential for nuclear conflict and announced the deployment of troops along the country’s entire border with Ukraine, state media reported Sunday.
Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said in an interview that approximately one-third of Belarus’ 60,000-strong armed forces are now stationed along what he described as a “heavily mined” southern frontier with Ukraine.
The Belarusian leader issued a stark warning to NATO, suggesting that any deployment of troops to support Ukraine could trigger a global conflict. “If they send NATO troops [to Ukraine], this will start World War III,” Lukashenko was quoted as saying by the state news agency.
Lukashenko added that such a move would likely result in the use of both tactical and strategic nuclear weapons, with “instant and terrible” consequences.
The Belarusian president also claimed that NATO harbors ambitions to attack Belarus from Poland, asserting that the alliance seeks to expand its borders. “In this case…it would be almost impossible to defend ourselves in such a situation. This [would mean] mobilization and a real war,” he said.
Lukashenko’s statements come as Ukraine continues its military operations in Russia’s Kursk region. The Belarusian leader suggested that Ukraine would be unable to defeat Russia militarily, implying that any escalation would necessarily involve Western powers.
However, Ukrainian officials have disputed Lukashenko’s claims about troop numbers. Ukraine’s military said Sunday that there has been no significant change in the number of Belarusian troops near the border, according to Ukrainska Pravda, a Ukrainian news outlet.
Lukashenko’s warnings and troop deployments come amid heightened tensions in the region, with the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine showing no signs of resolution.
International observers and diplomats continue to monitor the situation closely, as statements from leaders in the region have the potential to impact global security dynamics.
The deployment of Belarusian troops and Lukashenko’s inflammatory rhetoric underscore the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the Ukraine conflict, with implications extending far beyond the immediate region.
