Belarussian president warns of immediate response to border violations

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has warned that any breach of the country's borders will be met with an immediate response.

He made these remarks during an interview with the Russian television channel Rossiya, Caliber.Az reports citing the Belarussian media.

One of the questions addressed the dismissive response from the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to Belarus' claim of drone incursions into its airspace. Ukrainian officials responded by saying that the issue was not worth discussing and not something to be concerned about.

"True diplomats would never behave this way, even if they claim there's nothing to discuss," said the president. "Diplomats often say things they don't really believe. There is indeed something to discuss."

The president explained that following the drone incident and Belarus' statements, the Belarusian side received a response from the Ukrainian side: "We immediately received signals from those who are responsible for policy and from the Ukrainian military. They were concerned: 'What’s going on? What’s the situation?'"

The president highlighted that all this occurred amid the increased measures for border protection.

"They moved additional units to our border when they saw that we were forming our own units there. These units took up positions that we had long ago designated. I am in favour of being prepared for everything. If and when the critical moment arrives, every unit, company, and battalion must be ready to take up their positions," President Lukashenko said.

He noted that Belarus has designated brigades and battalion tactical groups for operations along the Belarusian-Ukrainian state border, with plans for more than 20 such groups.

"Each group knows the territory. This is essential to prevent any breach. That’s why we have implemented these measures," the president clarified.

"On the other side [from Ukraine] they saw this. They constantly told us, and the Westerners too, that they do not want a war with Belarus. We understand this and say that we do not intend to fight against you," the president said.

He explained that the lack of belligerent intentions is not due to any goodwill from the other side, but because Belarus and Russia are not interested in extending the line of conflict.

"The entire border is 1,200 kilometres. Currently, the front in the Special Military Operation is 1,000 kilometres. Are we prepared to secure 1,200 kilometres? Not at all. Kursk can be cited as an example. Such a scenario would require mobilization, which is what the West wants from us and especially from Russia, to stir up domestic society. Therefore, we are not prepared for this, and we do not want it," the Belarusian leader emphasised.

"We do not seek escalation or a conflict with NATO. We do not want that. But if they cross this line, we will have no other choice. There will be no red lines except the state border. Once that line is crossed, I say as a border guard, the response will be instant," he stated.