The Wall Street Journal reported that Russia has threatened to cut financial support provided to Belarus if the country does not agree to assist in the war effort. The information, however, was contested not only by Moscow, but also by Minsk, which assured that the West is trying to increase tension between the countries
Russia has denied that it is putting pressure on Belarus to help expand the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported. The Kremlin’s statement came after a report from The Wall Street Journal stating that the Russians would be interested in using neighboring territory to expand efforts in the conflict that has lasted since 2022.
The news “does not correspond to reality”, said Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, cited by Reuters. The official also assured that Belarus is the country’s “closest ally”.
According to the British news agency, the Belarusian territory is one of the most strategic in the conflict, as it forms the border between the two countries involved in the war and with three other NATO member states. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has already stated that he believes that Moscow wants the neighboring territory to be more active during the conflict. The Ukrainian head of state also said last Friday that signal relay stations in Belarus are being used to guide Russian drones.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Russia has threatened to cut financial support provided to Belarus if the country does not agree to assist in the war effort. The information, however, was contested not only by Moscow, but also by Minsk, which assured that the West is trying to increase tension between the countries.
“The situation on our borders is extremely unstable and is getting worse. Across the borders, NATO troop formations are being reinforced, infrastructure is being improved, the budget of our neighbors’ armies is expanding, and politicians are making strong military statements,” said Viktor Khrenin, Belarus’ Defense Minister, in a speech to newly graduated officers. “There are efforts to prolong and expand the conflict created by the West in Ukraine. Today, we are aware of attempts to lead Belarus to war,” he highlighted.
Accusations that Europe would be responsible for the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 are not new. The continent, however, denies this situation.
So far, Belarus has not sent soldiers to assist its ally in the conflict, however, explains Reuters, Alexander Lukashenko’s government let Russia store nuclear missiles on its territory. Meanwhile, Moscow depends on Belarusian refineries to process Russian oil and resell gasoline, diesel and jet fuel to the country led by Vladimir Putin.
