Lukashenko says North Korean troops fighting for Putin would be ‘escalation’ of Ukraine wa

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The Belarusian dictator, a key backer of Vladimir Putin and his war in Ukraine, said the Russian president has not asked for Belarusian troops to join the invasion. But Belarus has been far from detached from Russia’s war — and Russia moved a batch of tactical nuclear weapons to its neighbor in June 2023. 

Asked if Putin is ready to use the nukes stationed in Belarus, Lukashenko insisted his ally would “never” use the weapons without the Belarusian leader’s consent. 

Lukashenko said his country is “completely ready” to use the weapons if necessary, but “only if the boot of one [foreign] soldier steps into Belarus.” 

“We have no plans to attack anyone,” he added.