40.91% Think the Belarusian President’s Statement To Deploy Russia’s Weapons Is Just a Bluff

Recently, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that he would deploy Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus if needed. The president expressed concern about his country due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Lukashenko stated the Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus would serve as a deterrent against a potential aggressor.

Russia’s move to deploy tactical nuclear weapons was seen as shocking to the world. This is the first time that Moscow has deployed any war weapons outside of its borders since the fall of the Soviet Union. Putin’s, president of Russia, decision was a warning to the NATO alliance as they support Ukraine.

To gather insights and to hear the public’s opinion, Real Research, an online survey app, launched a Survey on Russia’s Deployment of Nuclear Weapons in Belarus.

Highlights

• 37.4% think Russia’s Deployment of Nuclear Weapons in Belarus is justified due to the Ukrainian situation.
• 39.28% are against the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus.
• 40.91% think Lukaskeno’s statement to deploy Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus is just a bluff.

We asked the public if they were aware of Lukashenko’s statement that he would not hesitate to use Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus in response to potential aggressors. 35.97% of the respondents were well aware of this statement, 35.92% were vaguely aware, and 28.11% were unaware.

Russia’s decision to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus received different opinions around the world. As 39.28% oppose Russia’s decision, 34.75% are neutral about it, and 25.97% support it.

Possible consequences

The consequences of having nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus aren’t yet clear. Putin views his actions as a warning to the West that he will not back down. Nevertheless, 34.49% said they were highly concerned about the consequences, 36.37% were somewhat concerned, 26.07% were neutral, 2.09% were not very concerned, and 0.98% were not concerned at all.

Putin said, “The trigger for the decision to deploy in Belarus was an announcement by Britain that it would supply depleted uranium munitions to Ukraine.” According to 37.64%, Putin’s decision might likely strain the relationship between Russia and the West. 

Meanwhile, 34.85% think that it’s somewhat likely and 23.13% are unsure. 3.14% of the respondents think that it’s somewhat unlikely that this will strain the relationship, and 1.24% think that it’s very unlikely.

Russia vs Ukraine:

The war between Russia and Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, and the UN said, “More than 9,000 civilians, including over 500 children, have been killed since then.” 50.44% believe the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus could escalate the conflict even more in Ukraine.

The situation between Russia and Ukraine is getting more tense, 37.4% think the deployment of Russian tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus is justified. 30.7% are not sure and 31.9% don’t think the action is justified.

However, Lukashenko said, “he could combine loyalty to Moscow while also safeguarding his country’s sovereignty.” According to our survey, we asked if his statement of deploying Russia’s nuclear weapons in Belarus was just a bluff. 40.91% of the surveyees said yes. 33.21% were unsure and 25.88% didn’t think it was just a bluff.