NPR News: 10-08-2023 12AM EDT
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Day: October 8, 2023
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has issued a stark warning that the delivery of US-made long-range missiles to Ukraine could trigger a nuclear conflict in the region. Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said that Moscow could respond with “the most dreadful weapon” if the US crosses its “red lines” in Ukraine.
The US media reported last month that the Biden administration had agreed to supply a “small number” of ATACMS rockets to Kiev, which have a range of up to 300 kilometers and can carry a 230-kilogram warhead. The move was seen as a sign of support for Ukraine, which has been locked in a deadly conflict with Russian-backed separatists since 2014.
However, Lukashenko said that the US missiles could pose a serious threat to Russia’s security and sovereignty, and warned that Putin would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons if necessary. “If there is, God forbid, an attack on the territory of the Russian Federation, Russia can, if necessary, use all kinds of weapons,” he said in an interview.
“I am closely monitoring developments in Israel. Our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself remains unwavering, and I extend my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this abhorrent attack on civilians. Over the coming days the Department of Defense will work to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.” says US Defense Chief