The Belarusian leader made this remark during an interview published on Aug. 18 by the state-owned TV channel Russia-1. According to Lukashenko, Ukraine's incursion in Kursk – the largest cross-border assault by Kyiv since the conflict and the first attack on Russia since WWII – posed enormous risks to global security.
"The danger is that this kind of escalation on the part of Ukraine is an attempt to push Russia into asymmetric actions – for example, the use of nuclear weapons," said Lukashenko. The close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin added that Moscow using its nukes would be a "PR bonanza" for both Kyiv and its Western backers.
Mac Slavo of SHTF Plan noted that "so far, Russia has exercised a lot of restraint in not following through with its threats – but surely it has a real line."
However, Lukashenko believes Moscow doesn't intend to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine. "Then we would probably have hardly any allies left. There would be no sympathetic countries left at all," Lukashenko said. He explained that this reaction would be based on the universal aversion to the nuclear fallout that would surely follow the use of these weapons.
Lukashenko also responded to statements by Ukrainian officials that the Kursk incursion was aimed at improving Kyiv's diplomatic position for possible negotiations with Moscow. He explained that while the plan is "a classic, … it does not work in a struggle against a great empire that has not even begun to fight in earnest. According to Lukashenko, he was sure that Russian forces would succeed in expelling the Ukrainian forces currently in Kursk. (Related: Ukraine wants to start talks using Kursk nuclear plant seizure as ultimatum – Akhmat head.)
Lukashenko encourages both sides to TALK
"According to its current nuclear doctrine, Russia can deploy its nuclear arsenal only 'in response to the use of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction against it or its allies, and also in case of aggression against Russia with the use of conventional weapons when the very existence of the state is threatened,'" Russia Today (RT) wrote.
"Putin has said on several occasions that there is no need to use nuclear weapons in the Ukraine campaign. Moscow has warned that it may change its nuclear doctrine, but said that any changes would be in response to what it perceives as escalatory moves by NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization]."
Lukashenko said during the same interview that Moscow and Kyiv must "settle their differences through negotiations" lest Ukraine be totally destroyed. He referenced the two sides' peace talks from 2022, which collapsed at the time due to meddling by former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
"We must sit down at the negotiating table and discuss the issues. But if it goes on like in Kursk region, this will be an escalation that would result in Ukraine's destruction."
He also noted that the warring parties could re-engage based on a draft proposal from the 2022 talks Putin introduced and pick up from there. Lukashenko told Russia-1: "Yes, the situation on the ground has changed. But this [proposal] could be a start … for a discussion."
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Watch Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko warning that Russia has more than depleted uranium in its arsenal against Ukraine.
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