Belarus as a growing military platform for Russian coercion against the EU (iss.europa.eu)

• Belarus supplies over €1 billion in military hardware to Russia since 2022.
• Russia has consolidated basing rights for up to 2,100 troops, with legal provisions for expansion.
• Nuclear-capable Oreshnik and Iskander-M systems are deployed for intimidation, not operational use.
• EU policy should combine pressure with conditional incentives and support for civil society.

"Belarus under Lukashenka is increasingly serving as a platform for Russian military coercion and intimidation against the EU. Deepening integration includes basing rights, nuclear-capable systems, and hybrid warfare tools. The EU should adopt a balanced strategy of pressure, conditional incentives, and support for civil society."