Russia and Belarus are set to sign a security treaty offering guarantees for Moscow’s closest ally. The planned signing follows changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine, which lowered the threshold for its use of nuclear weapons while extending its nuclear umbrella to cover Belarus.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the new document includes a potential use of Russian tactical nuclear weapons deployed to Belarus in response to an aggression. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has ruled that any such use would require his personal assent.
Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed confidence in agreeing on a joint Ukraine strategy with US President-elect Donald Trump. However, Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to escalate, with the country claiming territorial gains in eastern Ukraine.
The Russian economy shows signs of slowing down, with top banker warning of significant economic slowdown in some sectors. The central bank has raised interest rates to a two-decade high, aiming to curb inflation.
In other developments, Sweden and Denmark have signed a contract for the purchase of 205 armored combat vehicles, while Russia’s oil flows once again through the Czech Republic via the Druzhba pipeline. German lawmakers are debating on sending Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine, despite Chancellor Scholz’s rejection.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-updates-russia-belarus-to-sign-security-treaty/live-70985431