A sign of relaxation
Lukashenko announced troop reductions along Ukraine’s border
July 13, 2024, 10:32 pm
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A few weeks ago, Belarus increased its forces on the border with Ukraine. Minsk justifies this move with Kiev’s provocations. Now Lukashenko is sending signs of relaxation.
Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko has hinted at easing the border with Ukraine. During a visit to troops on the border, he highlighted the withdrawal of Ukrainian units from the region, state agency Belda reported. “Now we don’t have any problems with the Ukrainians, and I believe there won’t be any more,” he was quoted as saying by Belda. At the same time, Lukashenko announced the withdrawal of units transferred to the Ukrainian-Belarusian border in recent weeks.
Lukashenko has recently beefed up border units amid alleged troop buildups and provocations on the Ukrainian side of the common border. A spokesman for the Belarusian border forces said at the end of June that several rocket launchers with a range of 300 kilometers were deployed. Minsk has accused Ukraine of continuing to conduct surveillance drones along its border. Kiev, on the other hand, said that Ukrainian units had only expanded defensive positions along the border.
Belarus is a close ally of Russia. Ruler Alexander Lukashenko is heavily dependent on the Kremlin economically, financially, politically and militarily. Although Minsk did not officially participate in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Russian troops also used Belarusian territory to advance into Ukraine at the beginning of the war. Chinese soldiers are currently engaged in joint military exercises in Belarus. The maneuver is scheduled to take place till July 19. The exact number of Chinese soldiers involved is unknown.
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