Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko insisted that he’s “ready to wage war” alongside Russia if Ukraine enters his nation.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 17, 2023 14:35 IST
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attends a gathering with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Minsk, Belarus, January 19, 2023. (Photo: Reuters)
By India Today Web Desk: President Alexander Lukashenko mentioned that Belarus would be part of the offensives in Ukraine “only if attacked” first by Kyiv’s military.
“I’m ready to wage war, alongside the Russians, from the territory of Belarus. But only if someone – even a single soldier – enters our territory from there (Ukraine) with weapons to kill my people,” he was quoted by The Independent as saying. “If they commit aggression against Belarus, the response will be the most severe, and the war will take on a completely different nature.”
Minsk allowed the Kremlin to make use of the nation as a launching pad for its army operation in opposition to Kyiv final February.
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Military cooperation between the 2 nations has been on the rise in current months, with plenty of air drive drills and the formation of a joint army group. It has raised fears in Kyiv that Minsk might be making ready to play a extra energetic function within the battle.
However, Lukashenko has repeatedly denied such claims, saying that his nation is not going to be dragged into the battle by Moscow. He mentioned that he’s as a consequence of meet the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, on Friday.
Lukashenko additionally blamed Western governments for fuelling the battle, echoing Putin’s claims that Nato is “escalating” the battle. “If you continue this escalation, you will get nuclear weapons and Russia has more than anyone,” he was quoted by The Independent as saying.
READ | Shelling in Bakhmut intensifies, its seize would give Russia new foothold in Donetsk | Top factors
The Belarusian president additionally mentioned that he may assist play peace-broker. He mentioned if a nuclear battle begins, Belarus will stop to exist and it’ll wipe out the USA too. “No one needs this. We need to sit down at the negotiating table,” he mentioned.
Lukashenko’s assertion got here after Russia launched a complete of 36 air and sea-based cruise missiles, guided air-to-surface missiles and anti-ship missiles at Ukraine in a single day into Thursday. About 16 missiles had been shot down by the Ukraine.
Russian forces are repeatedly hanging elements of japanese Ukraine with heavy shelling, because the battle for management of the Donetsk area intensifies in a grinding battle of attrition. Bakhmut is a chief goal for Russian President Vladimir Putin, and its seize would give Russia a brand new foothold within the Donetsk area and a uncommon victory after months of setbacks.
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Published On:
Feb 17, 2023
