Russia to Position Oreshnik Missile Systems in Belarus
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Synopsis
Russia confirms plans to deploy Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus as part of agreements between the two nations, with a focus on mutual defense and security amid ongoing tensions with Ukraine.
Key Takeaways
- Russia will deploy Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus.
- This deployment aligns with agreements between Russia and Belarusian leaders.
- Belarus already hosts advanced Russian defense systems.
- Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine remain contentious.
- Putin emphasizes Russia's commitment to national interests.
Moscow, Feb 4 (NationPress) Russia is set to position its Oreshnik missile systems in Belarus, following the agreements made by the leaders of both nations, confirmed a senior Russian diplomat on Tuesday.
According to Alexey Polishchuk, the head of the Second Department of the Commonwealth of Independent States at the Russian Foreign Ministry, "In accordance with our allied commitments...Russia is prepared to offer Minsk the essential support and undertake actions to safeguard our shared defense environment," he stated in an interview with TASS news agency.
He highlighted that the medium-range ballistic Oreshnik missiles will be deployed in Belarus under these agreements, as reported by Xinhua news agency referencing the TASS interview.
Polishchuk noted that Belarus already accommodates a joint Regional Forces Group, advanced Russian defense systems, and non-strategic nuclear weapons, asserting that the nation’s military and security agencies are adept at managing both external and internal threats independently.
In late January, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko declared that Russia's Oreshnik hypersonic missile system would be arriving in Belarus "at any moment now," mentioning that the system could be positioned nearer to the Smolensk region.
This development follows the recent statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that any prospective peace settlement between Russia and Ukraine should ensure the long-term security of both nations.
"The conclusive signing of the documents is a critical matter that ought to assure the security of both Ukraine and Russia for an extended timeframe going forward," he expressed during a discussion with local media.
Ukraine has the authority to appoint representatives for negotiations with Russia, but any agreement must be ratified by legitimate Ukrainian authorities, Putin remarked, asserting that Volodymyr Zelensky is no longer the legitimate president of Ukraine.
Putin called on Ukraine to annul the decree signed by Zelensky prohibiting negotiations with Russia, warning that otherwise, any discussions between the two nations would be deemed illegal.
Putin reiterated that Russia will uphold its national interests throughout the resolution process regarding the Ukrainian issue.
