Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko strongly criticized the United States’ intention to supply Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles, cautioning that such a move could dangerously escalate global tensions towards a nuclear conflict. This rebuke from Vladimir Putin’s close ally follows President Trump’s recent threat to arm Ukraine with the said missiles as a strategy to pressure Russia into ending the ongoing conflict.
In response to Trump’s proposal, Lukashenko stated in Minsk that deploying Tomahawk missiles would not resolve the crisis but rather worsen it, potentially leading to a nuclear confrontation. Belarus, facing severe sanctions for backing Russia in the Ukrainian conflict, has been facilitating Russian military operations on its territory, housing tactical nuclear weapons, and engaging in joint military drills with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, advocating for increased military support from the US, emphasized that any Tomahawk missiles would be solely targeted at Russian military installations and not civilians, underscoring Ukraine’s commitment to avoiding civilian casualties. Zelensky expressed confidence in Trump’s ability to broker peace, drawing parallels to the US’s role in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations.
Meanwhile, Moscow swiftly responded to Trump’s remarks, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov highlighting the heightened tensions and potential nuclear implications of deploying long-range missiles. Former Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev cautioned against the repercussions of delivering such weapons, labeling Trump’s actions as risky.
Russian state TV host Vladimir Solovyov warned of a potential crisis akin to the Cuban Missile Crisis if the US were to send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Amid these escalating tensions, Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian power infrastructure, targeting key regions ahead of the winter season.
The geopolitical landscape remains volatile as world leaders navigate the delicate balance of power and strategic interests in the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.