ISTANBUL 

Belarus said on Monday that the country’s troops are taking part in the second stage of nuclear exercises with Russia.

A statement by the Belarusian Defense Ministry said that the participation of its troops is taking place in accordance with the decision of the presidents of the two countries and the agreements reached between their ministries.

“Today, we are already acting proactively, raising our readiness for the use of (the) so-called retaliatory system in a planned manner. Now, more than ever before, we are determined to respond to any threats posed to both our country and the Union State,” Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin was quoted as saying.

Expressing that such exercises provide an opportunity to assess the level of preparation of the country’s armed forces, Khrenin said Minsk’s activities in this regard are carried out in the “interests of our own security and are scheduled.”

“We have no goal of creating any tension in regional security issues. We do not project relevant military threats on third countries or anyone else,” he further said.

“We are a peaceful State, we do not threaten or seek confrontation with anyone, but we will keep our powder dry!”

Khrenin gave no details on where the exercises will be held.

Last month, Belarus and Russia held drills with warplanes capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko announced in March last year that Moscow would deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.