Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Belarus on Friday to sign a security pact with President Alexander Lukashenko, offering security guarantees, including the potential use of Russian nuclear weapons in defense of Belarus.

The agreement follows a revised Russian nuclear doctrine placing Belarus under Russia’s nuclear umbrella.

Putin and Lukashenko discussed deploying advanced weapons, including the Oreshnik missile, to Belarus.

While Putin emphasized Russia’s control over the weapons, Lukashenko could choose targets, the Associated Press has reported.

The pact has drawn criticism from Belarus’ opposition, with exiled leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya accusing Putin of tightening control over Belarus.

Written by B.C. Begley