The United States is concerned about a constitutional reform project in Belarus that would allow the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in this country bordering Ukraine and Poland.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko plans to push through constitutional reforms in a referendum that could take place in February, a senior US State Department official who wishes to remain anonymous told reporters on Tuesday (January 18th).
"These constitutional changes could indicate that Belarus plans to allow nuclear and conventional forces to be stationed on its territory."
The presence of nuclear weapons at the borders of the European Union (EU) "would pose a risk to European security and could require a response", she warned.
The American diplomat judged that Moscow was thus exploiting the "weaknesses" of Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, whose regime was weakened by a protest movement in 2020.
Military exercises castigated
In addition, the Russian-Belarusian military exercises announced on Tuesday by Belarus "go far beyond normal" and could presage a permanent military presence of Russia in this former Soviet republic which has remained one of Moscow's closest allies. , the official told the press.
The timing "is notable and raises fears that Russia could station troops in Belarus under the pretext of military exercises with the aim, potentially, of attacking Ukraine", she added.
She did not specify the number of Russian troops present on Belarusian territory but stressed that "their number goes beyond what we could expect from normal exercises".
"A normal exercise must be notified 42 days in advance, when it comes to 9,000 soldiers. For 13,000, it normally requires foreign observers. This is completely different."
With AFP
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