Kremlin claims Putin will not drag Lukashenko into war
Dmitry Peskov, the Russian dictator’s press secretary, has claimed that Vladimir Putin would not drag Belarus into the war with Ukraine, although he implied that the Lukashenko regime should reach that decision voluntarily.
Source: Russian Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti
Details: Peskov described speculation that Putin is visiting Minsk to force Belarus to participate in the special military operation as "stupid and groundless".
Quote: "These claims should be regarded as utterly stupid and groundless. Belarus is Russia’s number one ally and partner.
It is with Belarus that we have the highest level of integration, so there is no coercion; everyone takes the steps which best correspond to (a) the interests of our nations; and (b) the interests of our Union State."
Previously: Experts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that Putin’s visit to Minsk is an opportunity to put pressure on Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed President of Belarus, and reinforce the information operation concerning a possible Russian offensive on Ukraine from the territory of Belarus.
Background:
- Vladimir Putin is planning to visit Minsk, the capital of Belarus, with a broad government delegation on 19 December. First, a meeting attended by all ministers will be held, followed by a private meeting between Lukashenko and Putin; then a press conference will conclude the event.
- The Russian dictator is now on his way to Belarus. His aircraft is being followed by another three planes.
- Viktor Khrenin and Sergei Shoigu, the defence ministers of Belarus and Russia, will also be present at the meeting.
- Reportedly, the sides will be discussing "the process of implementing the previously approved programmes", specifically trade and economic cooperation and joint projects "with a focus on import substitution", cooperation in the energy sector and security issues.
- Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Minsk in early December and signed amendments to the agreement with Belarus concerning the joint facilitation of regional security in the military sector. It was also announced that Putin and Lukashenko had arranged to meet in December.
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