Russia moves to ratify security pact with key ally
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday submitted a security treaty with Belarus to the Russian parliament for ratification.
The agreement, signed in December 2024, obligates both countries to defend each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity using all available military resources and includes provisions for the potential use of Russian nuclear weapons to protect Belarus in case of external aggression.
The treaty “will ensure the security of Russia and Belarus,” reinforcing military cooperation between the two nations, Putin has said.
A key treaty provision involves the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, where Russia has already placed ballistic missiles as part of their Union State partnership, the use of which Belarus would be able to request should their use be deemed necessary.
The two countries regard the Russian nuclear arsenal as a deterrent to prevent both conventional and nuclear attacks, while their use is considered the last-resort option, according to the agreement.
Shortly after the treaty was signed, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko additionally asked for the deployment of Russia’s Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles on Belarusian territory. The new systems, which feature a hypersonic upper stage, could be stationed in Belarus by the end of 2025, according to Putin.
The missiles were unveiled late last year and battle-tested in Ukraine, striking the Yuzhmash military industrial facility in the city of Dnepr in November.
Last month, Lukashenko suggested the deployment of the new missiles could occur even earlier, without specifying a timeline.
“We will have the Oreshnik literally any day now. We have agreed with President Vladimir Putin that the next system will be delivered to Belarus even earlier than to Russia,” Lukashenko said.
The treaty is now pending approval by the State Duma, with Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin pledging to make the review of the document a priority.
“Security issues are key for us. The provisions of the treaty will ensure additional protection of the sovereignty of our states and their territorial integrity. This is especially important given the constant provocations from the EU countries, including those bordering Belarus,” Volodin said.
