Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko reveals reasons for Belarus-Russia drills near border with Ukraine

MINSK, 14 February (BelTA) – At the meeting with Ukrainian politician and statesman Alexander Moroz on 14 February Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke about the reasons for the Belarus-Russia military drills near the border with Ukraine, BelTA has learned.

“The decision to hold an exercise in the south of our country was taken before this hysteria [around the joint military drills]. We had to do it on our own in order to figure out where to keep a small number of troops in connection with the developments in Ukraine, namely the flow of weapons, our self-exiled opposition, the establishment of camps, training. These saboteurs are coming from there, frankly speaking,” the head of state noted.

He stressed that Belarus decided to reinforce its southern border. At the same time, the president noted, it was necessary to maintain good relations with the Ukrainians, residents of the border area who take advantage of the eased border crossing procedure to come to Belarus during the mushroom and berry picking season. “I took a decision to hold an exercise and determine where we need to keep some armed forces. Then I met with Putin and I said:“ Let’s hold a joint exercise. After all, we have common air defense and other things, we created training centers: Russia gave us weapons, S-400, Iskanders and other modern weaponry to study. He agreed, saying: Okay, we will join. And they did. So why are they yelling that we are doing something against Ukraine? There is a completely different background to it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

“They are shouting: When will the troops be withdrawn? [Russian troops from Belarus]. Listen, this is our business with Putin. We will meet in the near future and schedule the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation from here. It is our business,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

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