Lukashenko, Putin agreed to deploy joint regional group of forces

Presidents of Belarus and Russia, Aleksandr Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin, have agreed to deploy a joint regional group of forces – as noted by the Belarusian Head of State during today's meeting on security issues, BelTA reports

Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that after the informal CIS summit in St. Petersburg he had a one-on-one meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. “In connection with the aggravation on the western borders of the Union State, we have agreed to deploy a regional group of forces of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. This is all according to our documents. If the threat level reaches the current level, as it is now, we begin to use the Union State group of forces. The basis of this group (I have always said this) is the army, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus. I must inform you that the formation of this group has already begun. It has been going on, in my opinion, for two days. I have given an order to start forming this group,” the Belarusian leader said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also noted that Russia cannot currently deal with another conflict. “They obviously don’t need the second conflict. You know that they have enough problems. Therefore, do not count on a large number of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. But it will be more than one thousand people,” he said.

“Moreover, be ready to receive these people in the near future and accommodate them where necessary, according to our plan: without excessive noise, without aggravating the situation,” Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed the Defence Minister.