Lukashenko says NATO must avoid one thing to stop WW3 | World | News

Vladimir Putin‘s closest ally in Europe, Alexander Lukashenko, has threatened NATO with all-out nuclear war during a new interview with state media.

The Belarusian tyrant has beefed up security on his border with Ukraine, following Kyiv’s bold incursion into Russia.

During his interview, he warned NATO claiming World War 3 would be inevitable if it sent its troops to support Ukraine.

He said: “Ukraine will not be able to defeat Russia. Then who? The West. NATO. We must see this.

“If they send NATO troops [to Ukraine], this will start WW3.”

Lukashenko claimed Russia would unleash nuclear armageddon in the event of NATO joining the war.

“Both tactical and strategic nuclear weapons will be used, and the response will be instant and terrible,” he said.

“They [NATO] also understand this, and we understand it. Therefore, we need to sit down at the negotiating table.”

The Belarusian leader also claimed that Ukraine‘s invasion of Russia was an attempt to “raise the stakes” and provoke Russia into using its nuclear weapons.

Minsk has rushed troops to fortify its border with Ukraine, as fears grow of an attack.

The 69-year-old Belarusian strongman said a third of his 60,000 troops were stationed along the “heavily mined” southern frontier.

He claimed this was in response to Kyiv deploying 120,000 soldiers on its side of the frontier.

However, Ukraine‘s military said the number of troops on Belarus’ side has not changed.