DISINFO: Nuclear weapons are Belarus's security against aggressive neighbours
SUMMARY
If the West continues its aggressive rhetoric, Belarus will deploy not only tactical but also strategic nuclear weapons. Once the West violates any agreements and threatens Belarus by bringing more military forces to its borders and expanding NATO, Belarus should keep the powder dry. The Polish authorities are not hiding their aggressive intentions. Poland is preparing to build a new Europe where Belarus has no place. Poland is increasing its army to 300,000 people and brings more soldiers and military equipment to Belarusian borders. In addition to threats from the West, Ukraine is also threatening Belarus.
RESPONSE
The article gives a false pretext for stationing Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus in the context of nuclear fearmongering. The ‘aggressive West’ disinformation claim is frequently promoted in pro-Kremlin media – it is part of the recurring disinformation narrative accusing the West of anti-Russian and anti-Belarusian policies, aggressive Russophobia and allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda to destroy, ruin Russia, aiming to portray Russia as a victim and deflect any responsibility for Moscow’s illicit actions.
It contains the “aggressive Poland” and, more broadly, the “anti-Russian West” disinformation narrative. Neither Poland nor other NATO countries nor Ukraine have aggressive plans towards Belarus. On the contrary, Ukraine is concerned with a possibility of broader aggressive military engagement of Belarus given that the Belarusian regime continues aiding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The ongoing modernisation of the Polish Army and purchases of advanced military equipment is the Polish response to the current security crisis taking place in Eastern Europe – this situation is a result of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. The 2020 National Security Strategy of Poland states that the most serious security threat for this country is the neo-imperial policy of the authorities of the Russian Federation, pursued by means of military force (aggression against Georgia, illegal annexation of Crimea and military actions in eastern Ukraine).
Reacting to the deployment of a nuclear weapon in Belarus announced by Russia, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, HRVP Josep Borrell wrote on Twitter: “Belarus hosting Russian nuclear weapons would mean an irresponsible escalation & threat to European security. Belarus can still stop it, it is their choice. The EU stands ready to respond with further sanctions”.
Read earlier disinformation cases alleging that the UK delivery of depleted uranium tank shells will lead to a nuclear catastrophe, that the UK will supply Ukraine with taboo genocidal weapons, and that Poland is eyeing to annex western Ukraine and Belarus.