Lavrov: Russia ready to defend Belarus under union state treaty

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Russia is prepared to defend Belarus against threats if necessary, citing the security provisions of the Union State treaty between the two countries.

Speaking at an embassy roundtable hosted by the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov said Moscow was ready to implement all measures envisioned under the treaty to guarantee the security of Belarus and the Union State, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media. 

“If necessary, we are prepared to take the full range of measures provided for in the treaty to ensure the security of our ally and, of course, the security of the Union State,” Lavrov said.

The comments came in response to remarks by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who criticised Belarus for providing technical assistance to Russia and called for Belarusian military equipment to be withdrawn from the border area, according to Lavrov.

In March 2025, a treaty on security guarantees within the framework of the Union State between Russia and Belarus entered into force.

Under Article 6 of the agreement, Russia may use nuclear weapons in response to a nuclear attack or the use of other weapons of mass destruction against either party. The provision also allows for such use in the event of conventional aggression against either state if it poses a critical threat to its sovereignty or territorial integrity.

By Sabina Mammadli