Belarus Silent on Reported Missile Talks With Russia

MINSK, Belarus – Officials in Belarus are refusing to comment on the latest suggestion that Russian Iskander missiles could be deployed in the ex-Soviet republic bordering Poland.

The Wall Street Journal cites President Alexander Lukashenko as saying Russia proposed putting the missiles in Belarus.

Russian generals and diplomats have said Moscow could station Iskanders in Belarus in response to U.S. plans to place missile defense facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic.

But Russia is now threatening to deploy missiles to Russia's westernmost region — not Belarus — if the U.S. went ahead with its plans.

The newspaper on Friday quotes Lukashenko as saying Belarus may seek to buy some missiles if a Russian deployment deal falls through.