Putin and Lukašenka agreed to continue “Union State’s response forces inspection”, Defense Ministry says

February 20, BPN. Due to the “increase in military activity near the external borders of the Union State” and the “aggravation of the situation in Donbas,” Russian president Vladimir Putin and Aliaksandr Lukašenka agreed to continue “Union State’s response forces inspection,” the press service of the Belarusian Defense Ministry reported on February 20, the last day of joint drills Union Resolve 2022.

“The inspection will closely address the phases of the Union State defense that were not covered in detail by the training questions of the previous inspection period. In general, its focus will remain unchanged: it is designed to ensure an adequate response and de-escalation of military preparations of ill-wishers near our common borders,” said Defense Minister Viktar Chrenin.

In his opinion, there is “a very strong smell of gunpowder” in Europe as “[it] is being deliberately pushed towards war.”

“Our neighbouring countries are being ‘stuffed’ with the most modern weapons in an urgent and unscheduled move. The priority is given to modern offensive weapons,” Chrenin said. “Numerous groupings of troops and forces, including those of third countries, have been created on the territory of neighbouring states. The level of readiness for the use of the NATO response forces has been upgraded from seven to five days in the event of a so-called escalation of the situation in Ukraine.”

Moreover, “military and transport infrastructure facilities have been modernized,” and “the number of exercises and operations near the borders of the Union State has increased manifold, beyond our comprehension. It is also obvious that they are directed against Russia and the Republic of Belarus,” Chrenin said.

In his opinion, the idea of the inevitability of war with eastern neighbours is firmly embedded in the consciousness of a “Western average citizen,” “while the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus are accused of militaristic aspirations.”

“The West refuses to perceive the ‘red lines’ defined by Russia in the security architecture of Europe, which are also relevant for Belarusians. We see a rejection of the fundamental principle of the indivisibility of security. In the context of clearly defined ‘red lines,’ ways of bypassing them are intensively sought. There are ideas of new formats for the military development on the territory of Ukraine,” Chrenin said.

Sviatlana Cichanoŭskaja’s Office demanded the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from the Belarusian territory and consideration of this issue by the UN Security Council.