Cyprus Mail
RussiaUkraineWorld

Russia says Belarus may enter Ukraine conflict if ‘invaded’

belarusian president lukashenko visits russian troops in western belarus
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visits Russian troopsin the Brest region, Belarus earlier this month (Andrei Stasevich/BelTA/Handout via REUTERS )

A Russian foreign ministry official said on Friday that Belarus may enter the conflict in Ukraine if Kyiv decides to “invade” either country.

Russia used Belarus as a springboard to invade Ukraine in February 2022, and since October has deployed troops in Belarus for joint military drills.

Both countries have since agreed to intensify their military cooperation, raising fears Moscow could use its close ally to launch a new offensive on Ukraine from the north.

In an interview with state media, foreign ministry official Aleksey Polishchuk said that Russia’s joint drills with Belarus were designed to prevent escalation, but warned that Belarus may join the Ukraine conflict if it or Russia were invaded.

“From a legal point of view, the use of military force by the Kyiv regime or the invasion of the territory of Belarus or Russia by the armed forces of Ukraine are sufficient grounds for a collective response,” Polishchuk told the TASS news agency.

He added, however, that it was up to the leaders of the two countries whether they would make that decision.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that his country must “be ready” at its border with Belarus, but that he so far only saw “powerful statements” coming from his neighbour.

“We understand that apart from powerful statements, we do not see anything powerful there, but nevertheless we must be ready both at the border and in the regions,” he said.

Follow the Cyprus Mail on Google News

Related Posts

Nigeria to free 313 suspected Boko Haram insurgents for lack of evidence

Reuters News Service

World Court orders Israel to halt Gaza famine; Hamas says ceasefire needed

Reuters News Service

Zelenskiy tells U.S. House speaker: quick passage of military aid is vital

Reuters News Service

‘Oppenheimer’ director Christopher Nolan to be given knighthood

Reuters News Service

US, Mexico to partner on semiconductor supply chain development

Reuters News Service

Israel has not received everything it has asked for, top US general says

Reuters News Service