Belarus on Tuesday said that the country would put forth a new military doctrine that for the first time provides for the use of nuclear weapons.
Russia last year sent tactical nuclear weapons to be stationed in Belarus, although there are no details about how many.
Russia has said it would maintain control over those weapons, which are intended for battlefield use and have short ranges and comparatively low yields.
Photo: AP
It was not immediately clear how the new doctrine might be applied to the Russian weapons.
“We clearly communicate Belarus’ views on the use of tactical nuclear weapons stationed on our territory,” Belarusian Minister of Defense Viktor Khrenin said at a meeting of the Belarusian Security Council.
“A new chapter has appeared, where we clearly define our allied obligations to our allies,” Khrenin added.
The doctrine is to be presented for approval to the All-Belarusian People’s Assembly, a representative body that operates in parallel with the nation’s parliament.
Belarus had tactical and long-range nuclear weapons when it was part of the Soviet Union, but transferred them to Russia after the collapse of the bloc.
Russia used Belarus territory as a springboard to send its troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and has maintained its military bases and weapons there, although Belarusian soldiers are not known to have taken part in the war.
Belarusian Security Council Secretary Alexander Volfovich said that the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in the nation was intended to deter aggression from Poland, a NATO member.
“Unfortunately, statements by our neighbors, in particular Poland ... forced us to strengthen” the military doctrine, Volfovich said.
Taiwan last night blanked world No. 1 Japan 4-0 to win the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 for the first time. Taiwanese ace Lin Yu-min (林昱珉) held defending champions Japan to just one hit and no runs in the first four innings, before catcher Lin Chia-cheng (林家正) opened the fifth inning with a solo home run. That was soon followed by a three-run homer from Taiwanese captain Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) to put Taiwan ahead in the prestigious tournament of the world’s top 12 baseball teams. In addition to a superb performance from 21-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Lin, three more Taiwanese pitchers
Taiwan yesterday advanced to the gold medal match of the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Premier12 for the first time in history, despite last night losing 9-6 to Japan. Taiwan advanced after the US defeated Venezuela in the first game on the last day of the Super Round. However, the US had no chance of advancing to the championship game unless it defeated Venezuela by at least nine points. The US won 6-5. As a result, the two teams — who both had one win and two losses in the Super Round — are to face off again in the
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電), the world’s biggest contract chipmaker, yesterday held an equipment installation ceremony for its first 2-nanometer fab in Kaohsiung, six months ahead of schedule, Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said. “To cope with the strong global demand for advanced chips, TSMC is to start moving in equipment for its first-ever 2-nanometer fab half a year earlier than scheduled,” Chen said at an question-and-answer session at the Kaohsiung City Council. TSMC’s 2-nanometer process technology would help accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) applications as well as the transformation of local industries in Kaohsiung, Chen said in a
TEAM TAIWAN: While lawmakers proposed declaring Nov. 24 a national day, the CPBL commissioner urged the legislature to pass the budget for sports development Lawmakers yesterday proposed designating Nov. 24 as National Baseball Day and updating the design of the NT$500 bill to honor the national team’s victory in the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s Premier12 championship on Sunday, as thousands of fans came out to see the players parade down the streets of Taipei. Players, coaches and staff from the national team returned home on Monday night after achieving their best-ever performance in an international baseball tournament. After receiving a rapturous welcome at the airport, the players turned out yesterday for a street parade in front of thousands of adoring fans waving Taiwanese flags and