Belarus referendum approves proposal to renounce non-nuclear status - agencies

[Wicked Blue]

Source: Reuters

Feb 27 (Reuters) - A referendum in Belarus on Sunday approved a new constitution ditching the country's non-nuclear status at a time when the former Soviet republic has become a launch pad for Russian troops invading Ukraine, Russian news agencies said.

The agencies cited the Belarus central elections commission as saying 65.2% of those who took part voted in favor. The result came as little surprise, given the tightly controlled rule of President Alexander Lukashenko.

The new constitution could see nuclear weapons on Belarusian soil for the first time since the country gave them up after the fall of the Soviet Union.

It raises the stakes at a time when Lukashenko has fallen behind Russian President Vladimir Putin's military assault on Ukraine after earlier playing an intermediary role between the two neighbours.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/launchpad-russias-assault-ukraine-belarus-holds-referendum-renounce-non-nuclear-2022-02-27/

[SheltieLover]

2. Yup

[maxsolomon]

5. Lukashenko is.

His Autocracy wants to add Nuclear Weapons as a deterrent to prevent any interference from outside nations.

Watch Putin give him nukes.

[FailureToCommunicate]

3. Anonymous not happy about this...

Link to tweet

?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1498064596782960643%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.democraticunderground.com%2F100216412549

[Wicked Blue]

4. They are going to be very sorry

I hope this ends in Lukashenko being kicked out of office.

[Evolve Dammit]

6. Belarus has been absorbed into the new "Soviet Union". Installed puppets to do Vlad's bidding.

He may decide to launch at some point. Tragic.

[smb]

7. It's Easy To Hold A Referendum With The Ballots Pre-Marked nt

[58Sunliner]

8. I'm sure all the relevant votes were counted.

[Lonestarblue]

9. The Washington Post has a story tonight that Belarus will join the attack on Ukraine.

The EU and US need to immediately levy all the same sanctions they have placed on Russia. Lukashenko is another despot who needs to be retired.

[Wicked Blue]

10. I just posted that! Great minds ...

[dalton99a]

11. Putin's puppet can go to hell with him

[BlueIdaho]

12. Sounds like they are asking to be

The one legged man in an ass kicking contest.

[MerryBlooms]

13. Huge mistake.

All on the eve of supposed talks between Ukraine and Russia. Wouldn't trust Belarus promise of safety with a ten foot pole! Conduct the supposed talks by zoom to the world.

[lark]

14. Belarus makes a big mistake.

Hope their dear leader suffers the appropriate consequences for the death of his own people as well as Ukrainians that this move will cause.