Russia and Belarus stand ready to fend off external aggression the two countries said as tension remained high on the border with neighboring Ukraine.
Russian troops and equipment arrived in Belarus on Monday January 17. ” The objective of the exercises is to refine the mechanisms aimed at destroying and repelling an external aggression during a defensive operation, to fight against terrorism and to protect the interests of Russia and Belarus “, writes the Russian agency Interfax, quoting the Russian Deputy Minister of Defense, Alexander Fomin.
Twelve Sukhoi Su-35 fighters, two units of S-400 air defense systems and a missile battery Pantsir will be deployed on Belarusian territory by Moscow, which continues to raise the specter of an invasion of Ukraine. The exercises will last for a good part of February, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said, and will include: destroy illegal armed formations and enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups “.
Border with NATO
Belarus shares a border with two NATO member countries, Poland and Lithuania, and its president Alexander Lukashenko is a close ally of Moscow. He accuses Ukraine of having massed troops on the borders of his country.
For the time being, Moscow refuses to discuss with the Europeans and the dialogue with the United States is at a standstill. The Russian government says it is first waiting for responses from the West on its request not to expand NATO any further.
Anthony Blinken in Kyiv
After a week of talks without any progress, the US Secretary of State is expected in Kyiv today. Anthony Blinken will meet the Ukrainian president before going to Berlin to discuss the subject with the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
(With AFP)
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