MOSCOW, February 26. /TASS/. The Russia-Belarus Union State Treaty on Mutual Security Guarantees holds historic significance for safeguarding Russian foreign policy interests and strengthening the defense of both countries, Russian State Secretary and Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov stated at the session of the Federation Council during the ratification of the agreement.

"The treaty holds historic significance. The signing of it demonstrates the unprecedented level and nature of the bilateral relations," he said. "In the current geopolitical environment, Russia could not have chosen not to provide additional security guarantees to its closest strategic ally - Belarus. This is exactly what has been achieved through the signing of the treaty."

"We guarantee such a level of security for a foreign state for the first time, up to the use of nuclear weapons in the event of aggression against the brotherly Belarusian people," the senior diplomat emphasized. "The treaty culminated the results of the careful work conducted by our two countries over many years, including the deployment of Russia’s tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus."

According to him, the document is of great importance for securing Russian foreign policy interests, as well as the robust defense and security of the Union State.