Putin sees defense of Belarus as important part of Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Moscow will do everything to ensure the security of Belarus as the country's defense is an important part of Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at his combined annual press conference and question-and-answer session, Tass reported.

"There is another aspect related to nuclear weapons control, and a fourth important thing: we have announced that if similar threats are created for Belarus, our ally an member of the Union State, then Moscow will see it as threats created for Russia," said Putin.

"We will do everything possible to ensure the security of Belarus. We are doing that in coordination with the Belarusian authorities, namely President Alexander Lukashenko. I think it is a very important component of Russia’s updated nuclear doctrine," Putin emphasized.