Danilov calls Shoigu's statement about transferring Iskanders to Belarus a bluff

04.04.2023 18:14

Ukrinform

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov emphasized that statements by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu about the alleged transfer of Iskander-M systems, which can carry nuclear weapons, to Belarus are a bluff.

Secretary of NSDC Oleksiy Danilov said this during the discussion "Ukraine in the Face of External Challenges," an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"As for nuclear weapons, it is a pure bluff by the Russian Federation. They have a strong desire to reach negotiations as soon as possible and come to an agreement behind our backs to sit down with them at the negotiating table," Danilov said.

In Danilov’s opinion, Russia wants to enter into negotiations and "do everything possible and impossible to make it happen, including the so-called nuclear blackmail."

"If Russia delivers the warheads, because now there are delivery tools, as the Russian Defense Minister said, Iskander-M, I can say that they will continue to try to escalate this situation," the NSDC Secretary said.

At the same time, Danilov emphasized that the results of French President Emmanuel Macron's upcoming visit to China will be important.

As reported, at a selector meeting with the country's Armed Forces leadership, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported on equipping military units in Belarus with Iskander-M systems that can carry nuclear charges.