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30 March 2020, 11:32

Lukashenko meets with security officials to discuss Armed Forces, NATO exercise

MINSK, 30 March (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko received State Secretary of the Security Council Andrei Ravkov, Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin and Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Deputy Head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus Pavel Tikhonov on 30 March, BelTA has learned.

“As we agreed earlier, I would like to discuss a number of matters with you. These matters go beyond the state of things in our army. One of these matters was discussed last year. This is the response to the developments near our borders, the NATO exercise Defender-Europe 20,” the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko spoke about NATO's current activities. “I don't want it to be seen as saber rattling by us. So far we do not perceive NATO's exercise near our borders this way. One of the reasons for that is that they largely dropped their initial plans. I think the intelligence will report about the situation there and we will discuss this matter and take further steps to respond to the developments at our borders,” the Belarusian leader noted.

Judging from the available information Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed confidence that Belarus will handle the situation. “There should not be any over-reaction. I instructed you last year to think of an appropriate response. This is about money, too. Therefore, no excessive measures should be taken. It should be integrated and incorporated into the army's current activities. This should benefit the army. We should not make any show of it,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The head of state noted that the army is functioning normally, no events are postponed or canceled. “The army is getting ready. Many units are on shooting ranges. I know about the exercise of peacekeeping units of the Armed Forces of Belarus and the UK Armed Forces in Vitebsk Oblast. The feedback is good. No one should worry about it. We need peace. Peacekeeping is the thing where we should cooperate with everyone. I think that our main partner – the Russian Federation – is not winding down its activities in peacekeeping and other areas,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko suggested briefly discussing the state of things in the army. “Taking into consideration that the psychosis [over coronavirus] is not subsiding, I would like you to briefly update me about the health condition of our military. I am mostly concerned over the health of officers, as they live an ordinary life [like civilians]. I would like to hear your assessments and suggestions,” the head of state said.

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