The Group of Seven (G7) leaders have expressed serious concern about an announcement by Russia that it could transfer missiles with nuclear capabilities to Belarus.
The leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States said they condemned Russia’s unjustified use of nuclear rhetoric and signalling.
The leaders said this in a joint statement issued on the second day of a three-day summit in the Bavarian Alps.
“Russia must abide by its international commitments, including those which ban the use of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.
“We urge Russia to behave responsibly and exercise restraint, and reiterate that any use of such weapons will be unacceptable and met with severe consequences,’’ the statement said.
The comments come after President Vladimir Putin reportedly told Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, his closest ally in the war against Ukraine, that Russia would deliver missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads to Belarus in the coming months.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on the people of neighbouring Belarus not to allow themselves to be drawn into Russia’s war on Ukraine.
“The Kremlin has already decided everything for you,” he said on Sunday in his evening video address.
“But you are not slaves and cannon fodder. You don’t have to die,” he said.
The people should not allow others to make decisions for Belarus, he said.
Putin announced Saturday that Moscow intends to supply nuclear-capable Iskander-M missile systems to Belarus in the coming months.
Putin announced the move at a meeting with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko.
Kiev has recently reported attacks by Russian troops from Belarusian territory.
Belarus is a close ally of Russia.
“I know the people of Belarus support us, only us, not the war. And that’s why the Russian leadership wants to drag you into the war,” Zelensky said.