MINSK, 23 August (BelTA) – U.S. troops might be deployed in the countries Afghanistan neighbors with. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement at an extraordinary session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) on 23 August, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted: “There is another sensitive issue connected with the United States' withdrawal [from Afghanistan]. I am talking about possible plans to deploy armed contingents of the American army in neighboring countries, including CSTO member states.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko said he believes the matter should be thoroughly examined from the point of view of security in the Collective Security Treaty Organization's responsibility area. Russia also shares Belarus' concerns. Russia believes that the deployment of U.S. forces in the CSTO's responsibility area is unacceptable.
The Belarusian leader continued: “I absolutely support the president of Russia, his statements that flights of U.S. combat aircraft primarily above CSTO countries are unacceptable. Not only for Russia. For all of us as CSTO members. Moreover, I absolutely agree with his statement that NATO's movement (they have gone too far, it is understandable they are moving to Russia via Belarus), an attempt to settle down in Central Asia are also unacceptable for the Russian Federation and for us.”
