In the words of President Vladimir Putin, “Russia has no interest in swallowing anyone up” – at least not Belarus. Adding the neighboring country “just wouldn’t make sense,” Putin said Monday when asked by a journalist after a meeting with Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk.
After “substantial” talks, according to Putin, the two authoritarian rulers reached an agreement to intensify their cooperation “in all areas”, particularly in the defense sector. These are joint measures to ensure the security of both countries, such as reciprocal arms deliveries or joint arms production. Russia will also continue to train Belarusian soldiers on Soviet aircraft capable of carrying nuclear bombs, Putin said during his first visit to Belarus in three years.
The Kremlin head referred to the close relationship between the “allies and strategic partners” who are “united by a common history and spiritual values”. “Together we can resist the sanctions of hostile states,” the Kremlin boss said.
Common maneuvers during visit
Belarus announced in October that it would enter into a joint military alliance with Russia. Thousands of Russian soldiers will be stationed in Belarus for this purpose. However, the head of state Lukashenko had repeatedly stated that he had no intention of sending soldiers to Ukraine. But Putin’s visit was accompanied by maneuvers by army units from both countries. Concerns are growing in Kiev about an attack from Belarus.
Kremlin ally Alexander Lukashenko has been in power in Belarus since 1994. The Eastern European state is heavily dependent on Russian oil and cheap credit.
Source: Krone
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