Belarus’ defense minister tones down his anti-Western rhetoric

July 22, Pozirk. There are no signs that neighboring countries are preparing to attack Belarus, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktar Chrenin told Alaksandar Łukašenka on July 22, a notable shift of rhetoric for Belarus as Ukraine, backed by the West, appears to be gaining momentum in its war against Russia.

“Monitoring NATO’s armed forces, we do not see much activity,” Chrenin reported, according to the defense ministry’s press office, adding that they are conducting only one military exercise near the Belarusian border and flying a “minimal number” of missions. “Therefore, we believe that the situation around Belarus is stable, and we do not see any threat, tension, or preparations for a sudden attack,” he said.

Chrenin added that there are also no signs of preparations for any “aggressive actions” by Ukraine. According to him, a bare-bones contingent of special-task troops is stationed in the border area with Ukraine in the Belarusian territory, “ensuring security in cooperation with border guards.”

Chrenin denied reports that Belarus is building fortifications along the border with Ukraine. “We have, of course, heard this [claim] and take at it with a smile,” he said, adding that such “fake news” is intended to “create tension in society.”

At the same time, Chrenin reported that Łukašenka’s order to create defensive strongholds along Belarus’ western and northern borders had been fulfilled. There are five fortified areas in the west and the north, he said. According to him, the construction of defense lines in the south “is not even on the agenda.”

Chrenin dismissed fears over the development of infrastructure at the border with Ukraine. According to him, authorities are “repairing bridges, upgrading roads and creating new recreational areas” there solely for improving living conditions and fostering economic growth.

Chrenin is known for his aggressive statements and gloomy predictions amid the ongoing conflict in the region. Most recently, in a speech at an “international anti-fascist congress” in Minsk on June 26, Chrenin accused Europeans of having a “Nazi mentality.” By “intimidating the population with an imaginary threat from the East,” the European Union is “like the Third Reich before it,” militarizing, expanding its military-industrial complex, and preparing for war, he claimed.

Speaking at a meeting of defense ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Moscow on June 3, Chrenin warned that Western countries are highly likely to attack Belarus and Russia.

Alaksandar Łukašenka and his senior officials have repeatedly accused the West of harboring aggressive intentions toward Belarus. Minsk has portrayed defensive measures taken by neighboring EU and NATO members as preparations for aggression against Belarus.

However, when Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine in 2022, the Belarusian authorities sided with the Kremlin, allowing Russian troops to attack Ukraine from Belarus on multiple occasions and supplying arms to Moscow.

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Defense minister accuses Europeans of having “Nazi mentality”

June 26, Pozirk. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktar Chrenin has accused Europeans of having a “Nazi mentality” in an address at an anti-fascist event in Minsk today, the defense ministry’s press office reports. The gathering attracted more than 600 participants from …

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