US think tank: Belarus trying to build anti-Western coalition to help Russia evade sanctions

April 28, BPN. Minsk continues forging ties with “countries that have either supported or not condemned” Russia’s war on Ukraine, says a recent analysis by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Recent meetings of Belarusian Defense Minister Viktar Chrenin with his Chinese and Iranian counterparts may indicate that Belarus aims to build “a coalition of non-Western countries” to help Russia evade Western sanctions, the analysts said.

Speaking at the meeting of defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, on April 28, Chrenin described the conflict in Ukraine as “the hot phase of the global civilizational standoff” between the West and East.

One day earlier, he and Chinese defense minister Li Shangfu reportedly “outlined ways of further cooperation ” at a meeting in New Delhi.

On the same day, Chrenin and his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, spoke of consolidating joint efforts and deepening cooperation to “maintain peace and security.”

Minsk is working to complete Belarus’ SCO accession process before June, while Iran joined the organization last year.

In February 2022, Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. Alaksandr 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.