Belarus Drops Its Non-Nuclear Status As It Backs Russia. Know What It Means For Ukraine

If the constitutional change takes form, Belarus will witness nuclear weapons on its soil for the first time since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. 

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko | Photo: Getty

New Delhi: Ukraine's neighbour Belarus can now host nuclear weapons as it has shed its non-nuclear status after a constitutional referendum was passed Sunday. 

With Russia already making the country a launchpad for its troops invading Ukraine, the Belarus referendum will allow Moscow to place its nuclear weapons in the country.

According to news agency Reuters, close to 65 per cent of people participating in the referendum voted in favour of the change. If the constitutional change takes form, Belarus will witness nuclear weapons on its soil for the first time since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. 

On Sunday, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, in a warning to Western powers, said he could ask Russia to return nuclear weapons to Belarus.

"If you (the West) transfer nuclear weapons to Poland or Lithuania, to our borders, then I will turn to Putin to return the nuclear weapons that I gave away without any conditions," the Reuters report quoted the president as saying.

Protests Across Belarus, 800 Arrested  

Though Lukashenko has a tight political grip on his country, the referendum sparked protests in different parts of Belarus. About 800 protesters were arrested.

The authorities, however, claimed that no mass protests were held, and that immediate action was taken to "suppress provocation".

"Despite the numerous calls from destructive Telegram channels to destabilize the situation, which were spread by citizens outside the country, mass protests did not happen. Police officers were focused on prompt response and suppression of provocations," the interior ministry said, as reported by Reuters.

The new reform also allows the Belarusian president to remain in power until 2035, which further cements Lukashenko’s 27-year-old grip over the country. The president has also been given lifetime immunity from prosecution once he leaves office.

Russia had stationed its forces in Belarus for military drills but sent them into Ukraine soon after announcing military invasion on Thursday, February 24.

On Monday, an Ukrainian delegation reached Belarus for talks with their Russian counterparts.