Russian-led bloc cannot sit tight amid Russia-Ukraine conflict – Łukašenka

February 13, BPN. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine affects all countries of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Alaksandr Łukašenka has told CSTO Secretary General Imangali Tasmagambetov on February 13 in Minsk.

“If someone thinks that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is not our conflict and that we will just sit tight somewhere, it’s not going to be like that,” Łukašenka was quoted as saying by his press office. “The time will come (soon, basically tomorrow) and will force us to make up our minds, to take a certain position.”

The CSTO states “will have to clearly define their policies” despite the challenges they face, especially at their borders in the Caucasus and Central Asia, in order “to act together,” he added.

The Russian-led security alliance CSTO includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan.

In February 2022, Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. Łukašenka admitted that Belarus participated in it, 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.