Belarus dismisses concerns as it launches joint nuclear drills with Russia

Strong reactions from Ukraine and NATO allies as Belarusian and Russian forces train on nuclear weapon use.Military units in Belarus have begun joint training exercises with Russia on nuclear weapons combat, the Belarusian Ministry of Defence has announced.The ministry said on Monday that the exercise was a planned event and not directed at any specific third party, according to a statement quoted by the Interfax news agency,Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Zimbabweans lured into Russia’s war as families plead for their returnlist 2 of 3Latvian prime minister resigns after drone incidentlist 3 of 3UN aid convoy hit by drone strikes in Ukraine’s Khersonend of listThe purpose of the exercise is to test readiness and carry out combat missions from unprepared areas throughout the country, the statement added.The announcement was met with concern from Ukraine and its NATO allies. Kyiv has repeatedly accused Moscow of planning to launch a new attack from Belarus, either on its territory or one of its NATO allies, such as neighbouring Baltic states.“By turning Belarus into its ‌nuclear staging ground near NATO borders, the Kremlin is de facto legitimising the proliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide ⁠and setting a dangerous ⁠precedent for other authoritarian regimes,” a Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement said.Kyiv has urged its ⁠Western allies to ⁠tighten sanctions against Moscow and Minsk, the Belarus capital.“Such actions must face unequivocal and ‌resolute condemnation from all states that respect ‌the nuclear ‌non-proliferation regime,” it declared.Russian tactical nuclear weapons were stationed in Belarus after long-time ruler President Alexander Lukashenko requested their deployment. Belarus and its weak economy are heavily dependent on Moscow.Lukashenko has previously expressed hope that the warheads will provide greater security during the perceived threat from NATO.