Łukašenka: we don’t surrender independence by letting Russian nukes in

July 3, BPN. Alaksandr Łukašenka has dismissed allegations that Belarus is giving up part of its independence to Russia by hosting its nuclear weapons.

He told foreign reporters in Minsk that he remains in power thanks to the people, while exiled opposition leaders asserted that his main support pillar is the Kremlin. He also said that his journalists help him stay in office as “propagandists and agitators.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a plan to deploy nuclear arms in Belarus in March, pointing to the United States having them in several allied countries.

Belarusian opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja condemned it as a violation of the country’s non-nuclear status and a threat to the security of Ukraine and Europe.

Łukašenka claims that a bulk of the devastating weapons is already in Belarus.