Lukashenka: With the current course of the war, Belarus and Russia would not be able to defend the Belarusian border from Ukraine
In an interview with Al Arabiya TV channel on June 15, Alexander Lukashenka stated that he considers it absolutely unacceptable for the war between Russia and Ukraine to spread to the territory of Belarus. According to him, this issue has been repeatedly discussed with Vladimir Putin, and even the Russian leader himself allegedly expressed the opinion that Belarus's entry into the conflict would bring more harm than good.
Alexander Lukashenka. Photo: Alexander Kazakov / Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
Lukashenka explained his position with several reasons.
First of all, he noted that Belarus is militarily vulnerable:
"Belarus (we understand this, that's why we don't want to fight) is very vulnerable in military terms if Ukraine starts attacking Belarus in the same way it attacks Russia. Because Belarus is like an open book for Ukrainian military forces. We perfectly understand that our main life support facilities — production and logistics — will be under attack. As they stated, they already have 500 such targets marked on the territory of Belarus."
He named the attitude of Belarusians themselves towards the war as the second important reason:
"We have suffered enough in history. We understand that many of our soldiers will die. For what? Why should they die?"
Lukashenka also drew attention to the military-strategic aspect:
"The front for Russia first of all (and for us, of course), if it were to attack Kyiv from the territory of Belarus, would be extended by 1.5 thousand kilometers along the Belarusian-Ukrainian border. We, with the Russians, with the current course of the war, would not be able to ensure the defense of this section."
In addition, he expressed the opinion that further expansion of the conflict could lead to even more serious consequences, including the possibility of direct participation of NATO countries supporting Ukraine.
"And this war will acquire a new quality. This will be a war of Belarus and Russia against the NATO bloc. Although I do not exclude that it could be without that as well."
Comments
А супраць узброенага войска Украіны яны ні на што не годны і пабягуць ў бок Масковіі з першымі стрэламі.
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