Belarus puts Russian missiles on shopping list

Iskander missiles could be deployed in Belarus, even if the U.S. doesn't put elements of an anti-missile shield in Eastern Europe.

Russia says it could place Iskander missiles in Belarus, and its western enclave of Kaliningrad which borders Poland and Lithuania, to counter U.S. plans to place anti-missile elements in Poland and build a radar base in the Czech Republic.

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev underlined that Moscow would reconsider its decision if Washington refrains from building the shield.

But in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Belarusian President, Aleksandr Lukashenko, says he’s planning to buy the weapons for the Belarusian army whatever happens.

“Even if Russia does not offer these promising missiles, we will purchase them ourselves,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“Right now we do not have the funds, but it is part of our plans,” he added.

Iskander are Russian-made short range missiles. They have a range of 200km-400km.