(SVOBODA) – One Third of Belarusian Army Sent to Border as Ukraine Builds Up Force
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko announced that nearly one third of Belarus’s army has been deployed to the border with Ukraine. This move was prompted by Ukraine’s military buildup near the Belarusian border, which includes over 120,000 troops. Lukashenko disclosed this information during an interview with the Russian state television channel “Rossiya-1.”
According to Lukashenko, Ukraine increased its military presence near the Belarusian border due to concerns that Belarusian and Russian forces might launch an attack from the Gomel region. However, both Kyiv and Minsk have since withdrawn the additional forces beyond the initial 120,000 troops. The current military presence on both sides of the border consists of the units that were stationed there at the beginning of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Commenting on the Ukrainian military offensive in the Kursk region, Lukashenko criticized Ukraine’s actions, suggesting that Ukraine is escalating the situation. He remarked that both Ukrainian forces and Russian President Vladimir Putin are determined to persist, implying that the conflict will continue with high casualties on all sides.
Lukashenko also addressed claims about Ukraine’s political stance, stating that Ukraine has already gone through a “denazification” process. He dismissed the notion of rampant nationalism within Ukraine, claiming that while a few extreme nationalists remain, they are no longer significant.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Lukashenko emphasized the need for Moscow and Kyiv to initiate negotiations.
Recent reports have indicated that the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk, which began on August 6, was partly aimed at gaining a better position for potential negotiations with Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, has expressed doubts about the prospects for dialogue following the offensive.
The Washington Post recently reported that indirect negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were scheduled to begin in Doha, Qatar, but were postponed indefinitely due to the Ukrainian military actions in Kursk. The discussions were intended to address a mutual ceasefire concerning attacks on energy infrastructure.
Following the Ukrainian advance, the Russian delegation postponed the meeting, labeling Kyiv’s actions as an escalation. Despite Ukraine’s willingness to send a delegation to Doha, Qatar declined to host a one-sided meeting.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has refuted The Washington Post’s report, stating that there have been no direct or indirect negotiations between Russia and the Ukrainian government regarding the security of civilian infrastructure.