Lukashenko Hints That Russian Forces Could Remain in Belarus Past February 20 Exercise-End

As we make a decision tomorrow, so it will be.”

We will discuss further operations of the joint group of forces during a meeting with the Russian president on 18 February, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko told the media as he reviewed the Belarusian-Russian exercise Allied Resolve 2022 at the Osipovichi training ground on 17 February, BelTA has learned.

“We will make all appropriate decisions tomorrow,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president noted that the United States has thousands of troops thousands of kilometers away, so he does not quite understand the complaints about the presence of the Russian Armed Forces in Belarus. “This is our decision: to withdraw the troops tomorrow or in a month. They will be here as long as necessary. This is our land, our territory. We need to train and we will continue doing so,” the head of state said.

The president was also asked whether it makes sense to keep some Russian troops that are taking part in the exercise after the exercise is over.

“If it makes sense to keep Russian troops here, we will keep them as long as necessary. I emphasize once again: this is our territory and this decision is up to us. Right now the United States is deploying thousands of troops to Poland, thousands of kilometers away [from the United States]. Do they ask us or Russians for permission? No. Why should we ask anyone? We will keep the troops here as long as necessary. We will keep as many as we need in order to protect our territory and show everyone that we are ready to defend our land.”

We will make a decision – we will withdraw it in a day. Let’s make a decision for a month – it will stand for a month


“As we make a decision tomorrow, so it will be,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The President noted that the American leadership commands its servicemen thousands of kilometers away, so he does not quite understand the claims about the presence of the Russian Armed Forces in Belarus. “We will make a decision – we will withdraw it in a day. Let’s make a decision for a month – it will stand for a month. As long as necessary, the Armed Forces will be here. This is our land, our territory. We are working here, studying and will continue to study,” the Head of State said.

It was noted that there is an official point of view of the US authorities about the exercises, and it is well known, it is broadcast by representatives of a number of Western media. And Russia and Belarus have their own position, from which they proceed, the Head of State noted. “We have a Belarusian-Russian treaty, we actually have created a single Belarusian-Russian grouping here, that is, consider it a single army. And this is our official position. And please take this position into account as we take into account your position,” the President said.

Journalists also noticed that the situation in the Donbas has escalated again. And they asked the President whether Belarus would be ready to provide military support to Russia if it decided to come to the aid of the self-proclaimed republics.

“We will provide Russia with any support. Both military and, if necessary, economic. Let’s share the last piece of bread, just like that with the sufferers in the Donbass. If it is in Chernihiv – and chernihiv residents will help. This is our firm position,” the Head of State said.

At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that this is not really the question, the main thing is to establish peace in this region. “Ukraine always says this: there must be peace in the Donbas. Okay, let’s establish this peace, let’s take steps in that direction. Let’s not dance to certain commanders who are sitting across the ocean, but look at the Ukrainian land, because the war is going on on the territory of Ukraine. I have said this to all Ukrainian presidents, and most of all to Poroshenko. And to Zelensky: “You have a war, what to tell today, who is right, who is guilty. It is necessary to stop the war, to establish a normal life in the Donbass.” And Putin (I passed on to Poroshenko) is ready to help in this. They don’t want that. It is probably better for them to have a boogeyman, and even more someone to fight,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, the conflict in the south-eastern part of Ukraine could be forgotten long ago, if the leadership of this country wanted it.

“I was involved in this, so I tell you not just as a witness, but as an involved person. Responsibly, – Alexander Lukashenko emphasized. – If you wanted to, everyone would do it. What can we do? There is President Putin, there is President Zelensky. Whatever they want, we will do. There is only one goal – peace in the Donbas, so that people no longer die and people are not afraid to look at the sky. We are ready to do anything. There’s no getting away from it.”

The President noted that agreements had been reached with the Russian side on the establishment of several training centers in Belarus for the development of modern weapons. “Our army is on the edge, it must have the most modern weapons. We will either buy it, or the Russians will supply us with something at their own expense, because the army is common,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

According to him, three training centers have already been created. There are also plans to create a training center where Belarusian servicemen with the help of Russian specialists will master iskanders. “Good weapons. Do we need to master it? We must. We will buy these weapons from the Russian Federation. Therefore, I will ask that there be a fourth center for Iskander, so that we can master this technique,” the President said.

He added that Belarus is also interested in training its sailors in Kaliningrad or Murmansk, who would then serve in joint units.

“We agreed (frankly, I tell you, although I should have avoided answering this question): if we need some ammunition so as not to drag them back and forth, we will leave them here. As for the equipment I saw today that there are several types of promising equipment that we need. “Iskander” and not only. We will buy this equipment, and as a gift we will receive it from our elder brothers,” Alexander Lukashenko said. [Aka he’s saying that supplies and equipment used in the joint exercises may not be going back even if troops withdraw.]

During a conversation with journalists, Alexander Lukashenko named the conditions under which he is ready to leave the post of President:If the collective West, primarily the Americans, remove Belarus from the front sight and do not turn over here in all sorts of ways, as it was in 2020, everything will be legal, neat and will be earlier than you want or they want.”

But, the Head of State stressed, if the West continues to attack Belarus, he will be the “eternal President”. 

Source: Belarus Presidency

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  • Hostage (Raptar) Driver

    It seems this dictator is more of a father figure than anything else.

    • Peter

      Great news.

    • Mr Reynard

      IMHO the only Leader with Tungsten Balls ?
      Maybe the President of Madagascar come second, after telling WHO to piss off from Madagascar…