Belarus rejects Western troop deployment along its borders

Belarus firmly opposes the deployment of Western military contingents along its borders, Valery Revenko, head of the Department of International Military Cooperation and assistant to the Defence Minister, said following a briefing on current issues of military policy, construction, and development of the Armed Forces.

The briefing, attended by accredited foreign military-diplomatic representatives from more than 20 countries, covered Belarus’s military policy, force development, and the country’s perspective on the evolving security environment in Europe and globally, Caliber.Az reports via the Belarusian presidential press service.

“Regarding the state of the military-political situation, it should be noted that we no longer focused attention on how many operational combat training activities of Western forces were conducted near the borders of our state. We conveyed our position on this issue. For example, we categorically reject the deployment of contingents along the border of the Republic of Belarus. We are watching with caution the issues of increasing budgets of foreign states, construction of plants, equipment, armaments, military hardware, which in no way signal attempts to normalise relations or build a constructive dialogue with the Republic of Belarus,” Revenko noted.

The briefing also addressed operational and combat training activities: “Our activities are primarily driven by the actions of the West and their aggressive rhetoric. They have openly stated that they are preparing for war. We are conducting activities to prepare the Armed Forces to repel aggression. At the same time, I want to note that these activities are open. We are transparent in all matters concerning the activities of the Armed Forces.”

Revenko also detailed the modernisation of Belarus’s military capabilities.

“We are not expanding the Armed Forces - this has been reiterated once again. Instead, we are integrating high-tech weapons for strategic deterrence, including aircraft, helicopters, and missile systems. These will help counter the negative rhetoric and ambitions of our neighbours and Western states,” he concluded.

By Jeyhun Aghazada