Minsk and Moscow cooperate: Lukashenko: Form joint forces with Russia

Minsk and Moscow cooperate
Lukashenko: Form joint forces with Russia

10/10/2022 11:19 am

Belarus is a close ally of Russia. Now ruler Lukashenko has announced the creation of a joint intervention force that will be staffed by both Belarusian and Kremlin soldiers. It is not clear where the combined military unit will be stationed.

Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko has accused Ukraine of planning an attack on Belarus, and has therefore announced the formation of a joint force with Russia. He agreed to this with Russian President Vladimir Putin at an informal summit of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) heads of state in St. Petersburg.

“We have decided to form a regional association of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus,” Lukashenko said, according to Belarusian state news agency Beta. Two days ago, the two countries joined forces and began withdrawing forces. “The base of this unit is the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus,” Lukashenko said. He did not disclose the location of the intervention force.

Lukashenko accused Ukraine of preparing for an attack on Belarus, which is why this decision has been made now. “I have already said that today Ukraine is not only discussing attacks on Belarusian territory, but planning them,” Lukashenko was quoted as saying. So we have to think about how we can increase the security of the country.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin and Lukashenko continue to discuss various areas, including security, in their bilateral talks. This is provided for in the military doctrine of the State of the Union which the two countries will form.

Belarus, which borders Ukraine, is a staunch Moscow ally and allowed Russian troops to use its territory to launch a war against Kiev in February. Because of this, and because of the brutal crackdown on opposition parties after the 2020 elections, Belarus has suffered from a series of Western sanctions. The country is heavily dependent on Russia economically and politically.