KAZAN, 23 October (BelTA) – Fake news about the deployment of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) troops on Russia’s side may be used as a pretext to deploy NATO troops in Ukraine. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement in an interview with the VGTRK journalist Olga Skabeyeva on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko commented on news leaks claiming that DPRK troops fight on the side of Russia in Ukraine.
“Honestly speaking, we know what is going on at the front line and in [Russia’s] Kursk Oblast. We didn’t see Koreans over there. This is why these Koreans hide too well. Although if they were there, they would have to fight instead of hiding,” the head of state remarked. “But I am concerned about it. I get this information from you that some [Pentagon chief Lloyd] Austin and someone else are now concerned about the presence of Koreans. I am concerned about their deploying Poles or French troops from the other side, from Vladimir Zelensky’s side in turn. This is why it is necessary to seriously consider such talks and keep an eye on it. I will definitely say it to my brother [President of Russia Vladimir Putin]. We will discuss it. Albeit briefly but we will discuss this problem. We will meet soon and will look into it.”
Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that he does not really believe that Russians need Koreans at the front. “I can freely talk about it because even considering our relations with Putin and with Russia, Putin has never asked me over the course of the conflict, particularly now to physically get involved in this war with military forces. It would be so simple. We have the kind of relations that he can say it to me as a joke. Or not a joke. But he never has. I don’t think that such a thing has happened,” the president said.
At the same time he noted that mercenaries from NATO countries have been fighting in Ukraine for a long time and those are people, who are practically financed by the governments of the relevant countries. “We are 300% sure that people from France have been there,” Aleksandr Lukashenko cited an example. “We know for a fact that representatives of Poland fight over there. Nobody even knows and nobody calculates how many mercenaries are over there.”
“This is why if someone physically comes to Russia’s aid, it won’t come as a surprise. What is surprising about someone helping Russia?” he noted.
Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled the time when India had approached Russia about ten Indian citizens who happened to be in the warzone. “I remember that case. I remember how Putin responded without mass media. He said: ‘It is the first time I hear about it. If it is true, we will find these people and return them. We don’t need people, who don’t want to help us, to fight over there’,” the Belarus president said.
Summing up his statements, Aleksandr Lukashenko once again emphasized: “I don’t believe [that DPRK troops are involved in the conflict]. Most importantly, it seems to me that it would be a pretext for deploying NATO troops over there openly and in force. Because they understand perfectly well that Vladimir Zelensky is on his last legs. There are no fighters left. And a defeat is unacceptable.”
Olga Skabeyeva confirmed that Vladimir Zelensky had already stated that it is necessary to deploy NATO troops in Ukraine because DPRK soldiers fight on the side of Russia.
“I haven’t heard that. When I saw the news earlier (North Koreans disproved it yesterday), I understood why they need it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
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