Opinions & Interviews

“As a country with its own interests in the East and the West, we are not interested in aggravating the situation,” stressed the Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

In his opinion, the differences in approaches practiced by key players on the European continent to ensure regional security are transforming into the real buildup of military potentials that objectively suits no one’s best interest. “We don’t share the practice of ‘attracting’ additional foreign military installations and forces to our own territory. We believe that such actions weaken the security of the state in question,” noted Yevgeny Shestakov.

In modern conditions equal security cannot be achieved by “beefing up the military muscle” of any military blocs or alliances of nations. Belarus strongly adheres to the principle of resolving any conflicts and any problems only by diplomatic means, via negotiations.

Yevgeny Shestakov added that actions taken by NATO or under NATO’s aegis near Belarusian borders as well as the buildup of the relevant infrastructure cannot be accepted in a positive way although they are not regarded as a direct military threat. “They represent a potential challenge within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. The challenge requires adequate response measures,” said the Belarusian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.