Russia has taken a significant step towards strengthening its defense relationship with Belarus by submitting a security treaty for ratification in the Russian parliament.
Signed in December 2024, the treaty lays the groundwork for a closer military alliance between the two countries, with a focus on mutual defense and the potential use of nuclear weapons in response to external aggression.
The agreement, once ratified, will commit Russia and Belarus to defend each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity by all available military means, including the use of nuclear weapons if necessary.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the treaty will “ensure the security of Russia and Belarus,” reinforcing their military cooperation in the face of growing external threats.
A key aspect of the treaty is the provision for the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil.
Russia has already stationed ballistic missiles in Belarus as part of their broader Union State partnership, and under the new agreement, Belarus would be able to request the use of these weapons should an external attack threaten its sovereignty.
Both nations view Russia’s nuclear arsenal as a critical deterrent against conventional and nuclear threats, with the understanding that such weapons would only be used as a last resort.
The pact also highlights the growing strategic significance of Belarus in Russia’s defense framework.
Shortly after the treaty was signed, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko pushed for the deployment of Russia’s advanced Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missiles on Belarusian territory.
These new systems, which feature a hypersonic upper stage, could be stationed in Belarus by the end of 2025.
Putin has confirmed that these missiles, which were battle-tested in Ukraine, could be delivered to Belarus sooner than originally expected.
The Oreshnik missile system was unveiled late last year and has already been used in military operations, including striking a key military-industrial facility in Dnepr, Ukraine.
The addition of these advanced missiles to Belarusian soil is seen as a major enhancement to the region’s defense capabilities and further solidifies the strategic bond between Russia and Belarus.
In a statement last month, President Lukashenko suggested that the deployment of the Oreshnik missiles could occur even earlier than anticipated.
“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 remarked, indicating the urgency and significance of the military buildup.
The treaty is now in the hands of the State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament, for approval.
Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has expressed strong support for the agreement, emphasizing its importance in ensuring the security of both Russia and Belarus.
“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,” Volodin said, pointing to growing provocations from EU countries, particularly those bordering Belarus.
The ratification of this security pact represents a deepening of the military and strategic ties between Russia and Belarus, signaling a stronger alignment in the face of regional and global security challenges.
As tensions continue to rise in Eastern Europe, this agreement highlights the increasing reliance of both nations on each other for defense and deterrence against potential threats.
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