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The ruler of the ex-Soviet Republic of Belarus, who is loyal to Russia, Alexander Lukashenko, with Vladimir Putin
Photo: IMAGO/Mikhail Metzel / IMAGO/ITAR-TASS
More than four months after the start of the war in Ukraine, the ruler of the ex-Soviet republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, threatened the West.
If there is an attack on Belarus, his country will react immediately, Lukashenko said in a speech on the country's upcoming Independence Day, according to the state news agency Belta.
"Less than a month ago I gave orders to the armed forces units to target what can now be called decision centers in their capitals," said the 67-year-old.
He didn't explain exactly what he meant by that.
He added: "Don't touch us - and we won't touch you." Despite the fact that Russia itself attacked Ukraine, Moscow and its ally Minsk have repeatedly presented themselves as victims of supposedly hostile Western and NATO policies in particular.
Fears about Belarus entering the war
According to Belta, Lukashenko accused Ukraine of using rockets to attack Belarus.
“We are provoked.
About three days ago, maybe more, an attempt was made to attack military targets in Belarus from Ukraine,” said Lukashenko.
All missiles were intercepted by air defense systems.
He did not provide evidence for his claims.
Since the end of February there have been fears that Belarus could officially join the war on Russia's side.
Lukashenko has already admitted that in the first weeks of the war, Russian rockets were fired at Ukraine from Belarusian territory.
At its two-day summit in Madrid, NATO decided to significantly strengthen the eastern flank and to start the process of admitting Finland and Sweden.
Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin then announced that he wanted to react to the possible deployment of NATO soldiers to Finland with troop deployments himself.
tfb/dpa
