Putin Clarifies Nuclear Drills Involving Belarus Are Routine

President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia's regular nuclear exercises, including recent drills with Belarus, do not signify an escalation. He emphasized that the drills are routine, with the only change being Belarus's involvement. This announcement was made during a press conference in Minsk after two days of discussions with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Russia regularly carries out nuclear exercises and its latest drills this week are not an escalation. Putin said the only difference this time is that the exercises also involve Belarus, where Russia announced last year that it was deploying tactical nuclear missiles.

He was speaking at a press conference in Minsk following two days of talks with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko.