Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has stated that a recently established mutual defense agreement with Russia will guarantee the country’s “absolute security,” highlighting the partnership with nuclear-armed Russia as a safeguard against foreign threats.
The agreement, signed by Moscow and Minsk in December, formalizes the commitment of both nations to strengthen their collaborative defense strategy within the Union State framework. This treaty details mutual obligations to combat external dangers and coordinate military operations, further aligning Belarus with Russia in terms of security.
In an interview with the Mir broadcaster, Lukashenko remarked, “Absolute security means no one is going to wage war against a nuclear power.” He elaborated, “Regardless of how much some may wish to erase North Korea from existence, it won’t happen because it possesses nuclear capabilities. The same applies to Belarus.”
Lukashenko noted that the behavior of neighboring countries has shifted following the ratification of the treaty. “The Poles, the Baltic states, and others had their own intentions, but they are now keeping a low profile,” he commented. “I monitor their statements and receive reports — they are proceeding with caution.”
Originally, Belarus and Russia forged a “Union State” agreement in 1999 designed to facilitate the movement of labor, capital, and goods. In recent times, the focus has broadened to encompass defense collaboration. This latest treaty is viewed as a significant advancement in formalizing their partnership amidst rising tensions with NATO countries bordering Belarus in the wake of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
As Russia’s closest ally, Belarus permitted Russian troops to utilize its territory as a base for the Ukraine invasion that began in February 2022.
While the Kremlin has yet to provide a comprehensive statement regarding the treaty’s specific operational aspects, Russian officials have previously reaffirmed their promise to protect Belarus within the Union State framework should there be any external threats.
This is a summarized and rephrased version of an article that was first published in bne IntelliNews.
