Title: Lukashenko: We Will Use Nuclear Weapons if Attacked

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated on Tuesday that "the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in his country aims to deter any potential aggressor, and there will be no hesitation in using them if necessary," according to the BelTA news agency. Lukashenko also mentioned that "Belarus is now ready to host the warheads." He added, "Everything is ready. I imagine that we will receive what we requested in a few days, maybe a little more." This deployment will mark the first time Moscow has stationed such short-range nuclear warheads, which are less powerful and can be used on battlefields, outside of Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russian President Vladimir Putin had stated last Friday, "Russia will begin deploying tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus between July 7 and 8, after the completion of preparations for special storage facilities."