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Lukashenko: Set up joint troops with Russia
10/10/2022 11:19 am
Belarusian head of state Alexander Lukashenko has accused Ukraine of planning an attack on Belarus and has therefore announced the formation of joint troops with Russia. “We have decided to set up a regional association of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus,” said Lukashenko, according to the Belarusian state news agency Beta, without giving details of their location.
He accused Ukraine of preparing an attack on Belarus, which is why this decision has now been made. “I have already said that today Ukraine is not only discussing attacks on Belarusian territory, but also planning them,” Lukashenko was quoted as saying.
Belarus, which borders Ukraine, is a staunch Moscow ally and had allowed Russian troops to use its territory to launch the war against Kyiv in February. Because of this, and because of the brutal crackdown on the opposition after the 2020 elections, Belarus has been hit with a series of Western sanctions. The country is financially and politically heavily dependent on Russia.