What did Belarus change about nuclear weapons?

What did Belarus actually change in its stance on nuclear weapons, and why did it matter on 1 March 2022? The question followed a confirmation reported on 28 February 2022: Belarus said it had revoked its status as a non-nuclear state, which would allow the country to host and develop its own nuclear weapons.

The referendum behind it

The change stemmed from a constitutional referendum held on 27 February 2022, ordered by President Alexander Lukashenko in January 2022. The proposed amendments also covered the length of time Lukashenko could remain in office and the powers of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, an extra-parliamentary body composed mostly of state officials. Renouncing the nuclear-free zone status was part of the same package.

The wider setting

The vote came as Russia had amassed troops in both Russia and Belarus ahead of its invasion of Ukraine. The referendum itself took place several days after Russia began its military offensive into Ukraine.

Lukashenko added a conditional statement: he said he could ask Russia to return nuclear missiles to Belarus if any nuclear weapons were transferred to Poland or Lithuania.

Reading the moment

The confirmation set out a formal legal route for hosting nuclear weapons, tied by Lukashenko to the posture of two neighbouring states. As of 1 March 2022, the reported position was a stated option rather than a deployment.