MINSK, October 31. /TASS/. The Higher State Council of the Russia-Belarus Union State will review a concept that designates nuclear weapons as a guarantee of the sovereignty of the Union State, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov said on Thursday.

“Among the documents that we are preparing for the session of the High Council of State, the concept of security of the State of the Union occupies a primary place. This agreement serves as a guarantee for the Member States, stipulating the use of nuclear weapons as a safeguard of the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of our nations,” Ryzhenkov told reporters at the Second International Conference on Eurasian Security in Minsk.

Ryzhenkov emphasized that while the West has distanced itself from Belarus and Russia, its treatment of Russian and Belarusian citizens amounts to “almost genocide.” “In these difficult times, Belarus may choose to refrain from actively participating in the conflict, while continuing to play a role in shaping peacekeeping efforts in the region,” he said.

Previous reports indicated that the Union State Security Concept and a treaty on security guarantees for Russia and Belarus will be signed at a meeting of the Supreme State Council on December 5.