MINSK. Dec 6 (Interfax) - The Treaty on Security Guarantees in the Russia-Belarus Union State both states are planning to sign allows for using Russian tactical nuclear weapons hosted by Belarus to protect the latter, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
"We will sign the Interstate Treaty on Security Guarantees in the Union State today. It lays down mutual obligations of the allies in the provision of defense, the protection of sovereignty, independence and the constitutional system of Russia and Belarus, and the integrity and inviolability of the territory and the external border of the Union State by using all forces and means available," Putin said at a meeting of the Union State's Supreme State Council.
"This includes Russian tactical nuclear weapons deployed in the Republic of Belarus at the proposal of the Belarusian president," Putin said.
Putin said the Russian nuclear policy allowed for the defensive use of these weapons in retaliation against an attack by weapons of mass destruction or an aggression by conventional weapons that create a critical threat to sovereignty or territorial integrity.
"We are constantly coordinating these issues with the Belarusian leadership," he said.
Putin said it was "quite logical" to sign the treaty, considering that "Western states are intentionally escalating tensions" in Ukraine.
"An irresponsible policy of the kind pushes the world towards the brink of a global conflict," he said.
"We are aware of the stance of Belarus and the Belarusian president aimed at a peaceful settlement of the crisis. We are constantly discussing these issues and, of course, this matter will be given due attention during today's exchange of views," Putin said.