Łukašenka says CSTO’s fate hinges on outcome of war in Ukraine

November 23, BPN. Alaksandr Łukašenka said that the future of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) depends on Russia’s success in its war against Ukraine.

“I feel that we have reached a consensus that if, God forbid, Russia collapses, our place is under that rubble,” Łukašenka was quoted by his press office as saying at a meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council in Yerevan.

“We are not going to leave the political and military arena. The CSTO will continue to exist, and no one will collapse anywhere. But we need unity,” he added.

Łukašenka’s press office released his statement much later than state-run media outlets.

On February 24, Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. Łukašenka admitted that Belarus participated in Russia’s war on Ukraine, but said it was “not killing anyone.”

Authorities in Minsk denied Belarusian army troops’ involvement in combat operations on the Russian side. However, Belarus allowed Russian troops and weapons to move freely through the country, use its airspace, refuel and store military equipment and attack Ukraine from its territory.