**Belarus and Russia Agree to Boost Military Ties**
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to deploy a new missile system in Belarus. This move comes after Russia recently used the same missile system, called Oreshnik, to strike Ukraine.
Lukashenko made his request during a meeting with Putin on December 6. He mentioned that Russia’s use of the Oreshnik missile had an impact on its relations with Ukraine and other countries. Lukashenko asked if it would be possible for Russia to deploy more of these missiles in Belarus by next year.
Putin said it was “possible” and promised to deliver the missiles by the second half of 2025. However, it’s not clear how many Oreshnik missiles Russia actually has. A US official said Moscow likely only has a few of these experimental missiles.
**Russia Strengthens Ties with Belarus**
Belarus is closely tied to Russia, both economically and militarily. The two countries have signed agreements on security guarantees and energy cooperation. Putin described the security treaty as “fundamental” and said it would involve all available forces and means.
The move to deploy Oreshnik missiles in Belarus may be seen as a show of strength by Russia and its allies. However, it also raises concerns about regional stability and security.
**Other Developments**
* Russian forces attacked the city of Kryvyi Rih in Ukraine on December 6, killing two people and injuring 13.
* The Romanian Constitutional Court annulled the results of a presidential election that had been led by an anti-NATO candidate.
* China has strengthened its ties with Russia since Moscow’s full-scale war against Ukraine began.
* A key feature of the Oreshnik missile system is its artificial intelligence capability for autonomous targeting.
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