ASHGABAT, 11 October (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed concern about the forthcoming large-scale NATO military exercise near Belarusian borders during the CIS summit in Ashgabat on 11 October, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “For some reason NATO has decided to arrange a large-scale military exercise near our borders virtually in several months. Thousands of personnel will be deployed on a never-before-seen scale in Poland and Baltic states. It is abnormal. It does not mean peace has come to Europe and no trouble spots like that will emerge in the future. It is an incomprehensible exercise. The president of Russia and I may have to think about ways to ensure our security in this period. Because the exercise will involve about 30,000 people. It is a lot.”
“For instance, Belarus is already working on it,” he added.
Aleksandr Lukashenko remarked that a joint military force exists within the framework of the Union State of Belarus and Russia. “We will have to respond in some way,” the head of state said. He stressed that the attitude should not be considered as saber-rattling. “We didn't make the first step. We have to respond,” the president stressed.
The head of state assured that Belarus will never be the source of any threat.
