Russia has warned the West and Ukraine of “disastrous consequences” if Kyiv moved against its close ally Belarus.
Russia Will Defend Belarus
By doing so, Russia made it clear that it would intervene to defend a country where it has deployed tactical nuclear weapons.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters that Moscow was concerned by what she called increasingly “provocative” activity on the border with Belarus.
Maria said that she did not rule out possible attempts of escalation in the region.
Belarus Fears Attack By Kyiv
Days after Ukraine’s August 6 incursion into the Kursk region of Russia, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko suggested that Kyiv may attack Belarus.
Alexander Lukashenko is a loyal ally of President Vladimir Putin
Minsk Has Accused Ukrainian Drones Of Violating Its Airspace
Minsk, the capital of Belarus, has accused Ukrainian drones of violating its airspace.
It later announced that it was sending extra troops to its border with Ukraine.
No Major Changes In Border Area: Kyiv
Kyiv said it had seen no major changes in the border area.
“We take due note of the information received about the intensification of the activities of Ukrainian forces in the border zone,” said Zakharova.
“We see these facts ourselves and are aware of constant attempts from the Ukrainian side to use drones and to send terrorists into the republic.’’
Ukraine’s foreign ministry said last month that the country “has never taken and is not going to take any unfriendly actions against the Belarusian people”.
Zelenskyy Is Capable Of Reckless Moves
In a clear reference to Ukraine’s Kursk incursion, Zakharova said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had shown he was capable of what she called “reckless steps”.
Zakharova accused him of coordinating his action with Washington ahead of a November U.S. presidential election.
“Therefore, in line with this logic, we do not rule out the possibility that these destructive forces could set the situation in the region in motion and escalate.”
Russia And Belarus Are Part Of A “Union State”
She said Russia and Belarus were part of a “Union State” and had undertaken to jointly defend their common borders.
The Russian foreign ministry spokesperson pointed out that a joint regional military grouping was deployed in Belarus along with Russian tactical nuclear weapons.
“The practical implementation of any scenarios aggressive towards Minsk is fraught with disastrous consequences not only for Ukraine, but also for its sponsors.’’
(With Inputs From Reuters)
