In Minsk, leaders of the defense ministries of Belarus and Russia, Viktor Khrenin and Sergei Shoigu, formalized a framework for how Russia’s non-strategic nuclear weapons would be stored on Belarusian soil. The announcement came through a report circulated by the Belarusian military channel and reflects a joint understanding reached during their talks in the Belarusian capital. The two officials signed documents that establish the operational procedures for housing the Russian non-strategic arsenal within a dedicated storage facility located on Belarusian territory, ensuring that the logistics, security measures, and oversight mechanisms are clearly defined. (Belarusian Defense Ministry)
During the bilateral session, Khrenin and Shoigu reviewed not only the storage arrangement but also the broader military-political dynamics in the region and the ongoing trajectory of defense collaboration between the two ministries. The conversation covered matters of defense postures, regional security threats, and areas where their agencies can coordinate more effectively to respond to evolving challenges. (Belarusian Defense Ministry)
Shoigu, speaking on behalf of the Russian side, emphasized that Russia retains control over all nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus and retains the ultimate decision-making authority regarding their use. This point underscores the centralized command-and-control framework that Moscow maintains for the deployed weapons, even as they are physically safeguarded at a Belarusian site. (Russian Defense Ministry)
From the Belarusian perspective, officials described the deployment as a strategic response to what they characterized as hostile and aggressive policies by certain neighboring states. The emphasis was on deterrence, regional stability, and the expectation that the presence of the weapons would contribute to a credible security posture for Belarus. (Belarusian Defense Ministry)
Observers noted that Shoigu’s trip to Minsk aligned with his participation in the Council of Ministers of Defense sessions held by members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The visit highlighted the ongoing integration of defense planning and crisis management among CSTO allies, including discussions on arms control, force readiness, and shared defense priorities. (CSTO Secretariat)