Status: 10/10/2022 2:20 p.m
According to Belarus, it wants to deploy a joint military intervention force with Russia. The reason for this are alleged plans by Ukraine to attack Belarus, said its President Lukashenko.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has announced the formation of a joint regional military unit of his country’s armed forces with the Russian army.
Lukashenko said he had agreed this with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the informal summit of the heads of state of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Saint Petersburg, according to the Belta state agency. Two days ago, both countries began to pull forces together. “The basis of this unit is the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.”
Ukraine is said to be planning attacks
The reason for the step is the growing tension on the border with Ukraine, the 68-year-old said. He learned through unofficial channels that Ukraine was planning attacks on Belarusian territory. It is therefore necessary to think about how the security of the country can be increased. The move apparently comes after the explosion on Russia’s Crimean Bridge.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin and Lukashenko constantly discuss a variety of areas in their bilateral talks, including defense. This is provided for in the military doctrine of the union state that both countries form.
Lukashenko, also referred to as “Europe’s last dictator,” had always declared that he did not want to be drawn into the war. At the same time, given the situation, he did not rule it out. From the very beginning, Belarus has provided its military bases for the Russian attacks on Ukraine. From Ukraine’s point of view, Belarus is already a party to the war.