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Putin, Lukashenko accuse NATO of hostile actions, cite risks of nuclear conflict

14.03.2025 09:30
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday accused NATO of “hostile and destabilizing” activities amid the conflict in Ukraine, warning these could spark a military confrontation among nuclear-armed states.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko attend a press conference following their meeting in Moscow, Russia, 13 March 2025. Lukashenko is on an official visit to Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko attend a press conference following their meeting in Moscow, Russia, 13 March 2025. Lukashenko is on an official visit to Moscow. EPA/MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL

In a joint statement following their talks in Moscow, the two leaders said Russia and Belarus are prepared to take both military and diplomatic steps in response to the alliance’s actions.

They highlighted plans to deploy U.S. intermediate- and shorter-range missiles in Europe, the strengthening of Europe’s segment of America’s missile defense system, and the “stationing of military infrastructure and substantial armed forces” near the Russian-Belarusian borders.

Criticism of EU ‘aggression’

Putin and Lukashenko also condemned what they called the “aggressive and confrontational” policies of the European Union toward Belarus and Russia, accusing Brussels of interfering in internal affairs and imposing unilateral sanctions.

Such measures, they said, undermine global stability.

Their statement comes as some remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about NATO have alarmed other alliance members.

Last week, Trump indicated that if members fail to meet defense spending targets, the U.S. would not defend them.

This week, Polish President Andrzej Duda issued a special letter to the leaders of all NATO member states, asking them to increase defence spending to at least 3 percent of GDP.

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Source: PAP