Putin and Lukashenko Lead Joint Nuclear Exercises, Pledge ‘No Intention of Being Drawn into Arms Race’

Moscow — President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko led nuclear forces exercises via videoconference on May 21, in line with the joint training plan of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.

President Putin stated, “Today, as part of the exercise, we are holding the first joint training session of the Russian and Belarusian armies on the command and control of strategic and tactical nuclear forces.” He emphasised, “As I have already noted — and I would like to emphasise once again — the use of such weapons, nuclear weapons, is an extreme, exceptional measure to ensure the national security of our countries.”

President Putin said that given the growing tensions in the world and the emergence of new threats and risks, the Russian nuclear triad must continue to serve as a reliable guarantor of the sovereignty of the Union State of Russia and Belarus, ensure strategic deterrence, and maintain nuclear parity and the balance of power globally.

During the joint training session, practical launches of ballistic and cruise missiles were also carried out. President Putin stated that it is important to continue improving the training of strategic and tactical nuclear forces and developing all their components.

However, he made clear, “We have no intention of being drawn into an arms race. Our nuclear triad will remain at the level of necessary sufficiency.” He informed that under the State Armament Programme, plans are in place to equip the Strategic Missile Forces with new missile systems, both silo-based and mobile. He also recalled the recent successful testing of the ‘Sarmat’ intercontinental ballistic missile, which possesses high tactical and technical characteristics and is capable of overcoming all modern and future missile defence systems.

President Putin further stated that the commissioning of modern nuclear-powered submarine cruisers into the Navy, and new and upgraded strategic bombers into the Aerospace Forces, would continue. He noted that the combat readiness of other services and branches of the armed forces would be enhanced, and training and combat tasks would be practised taking into account the experience of the special military operation, including during joint exercises this year. Among those, he highlighted the CSTO ‘Interaction 2026’ exercise of the Collective Rapid Reaction Forces on Russian territory, the CSTO ‘Indestructible Brotherhood 2026’ exercise of peacekeeping forces on Belarusian territory, as well as plans to hold the ‘Shield of the Union 2027’ operational exercise of the Armed Forces of Belarus and Russia next year.

President Putin concluded that such systematic and consistent steps are essential for strengthening the defence capabilities of the two countries and reliably protecting the citizens of Russia and Belarus from potential threats from all directions.