Belarus Opposes NATO Expansion in New Military Doctrine

Belarus has approved a new military doctrine that opposes the ongoing expansion of NATO and the militarization of its member countries and candidate members. The doctrine, which was announced by Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin, has become more precise and specific, defines the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons as a means of strategic deterrence.

According to Khrenin, Belarus condemns military conflicts as a means of policy implementation but believes it is legitimate to use available forces and means to implement preventive measures to prevent or repel aggression. He cautioned that provocations by Western countries could become a catalyst for unleashing a military conflict and that Belarus will respond by taking strategic deterrence measures.

The new military doctrine introduces a methodological approach to ranking military dangers and considers the use of military force in peacetime to prevent aggression, destabilization, and cyberattacks. Belarus will consider aggression against any of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member states as aggression against all members and will provide the attacked country with necessary assistance, including military.

Belarus has also updated its National Security Concept, which defines risks and challenges to national security, including biological security and electoral sovereignty. The concept states that Belarus' military potential is sufficient to cope with armed defense tasks and envisages efforts to strengthen collective security with allies, primarily Russia and CSTO members.

Why this matters: The adoption of a new military doctrine by Belarus, which opposes NATO expansion and includes the possibility of hosting Russian nuclear weapons, has significant implications for regional security and geopolitical tensions. It highlights the deepening military ties between Belarus and Russia and their shared stance against perceived Western aggression.

During the 7th All Belarusian People's Assembly, the Belarusian government made a series of anti-Western and anti-Ukrainian statements. The Belarusian KGB chief claimed that Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine are training Belarusian 'radicalists' to carry out terrorist attacks in Belarus, including using drones from Lithuania to attack Minsk, which the Lithuanian military denied as disinformation.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed that the Belarusian opposition plans to seize a district in western Belarus and bring in NATO troops, though he provided no evidence. Lukashenko stated, "Belarus sees neither Ukraine nor its neighbors as enemies, but is ready for a 'preventive attack' to prevent aggression."

The new military doctrine and updated National Security Concept reflect Belarus' stance against NATO expansion and its readiness to take preventive measures to deter aggression. While Belarus maintains that it is open to pragmatic dialogue with NATO if aggressive rhetoric and actions against Minsk are stopped, the country's deepening military ties with Russia and the potential hosting of Russian nuclear weapons underscore the complex security dynamics in the region.

Key Takeaways

• Belarus approves new military doctrine opposing NATO expansion and militarization.
• Belarus considers using military force to prevent aggression, destabilization, and cyberattacks.
• Belarus will assist CSTO members if attacked, including with military aid.
• Belarus updates National Security Concept, citing risks like biological security and electoral sovereignty.
• Belarus deepens military ties with Russia, potentially hosting Russian nuclear weapons.