Belarus Offers To Host Russian Warplanes To Counter NATO Buildup

Itar-Tass
March 12, 2014

Russia to be offered to deploy extra 15 planes in Belarus due to NATO activity near border

MINSK: Russia will be offered to deploy up to 15 more warplanes in Belarus, in connection with NATO activity near the Belarusian border, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated here on Wednesday.

==========================================

Belarusian Telegraph Agency
March 12, 2014

Lukashenko: Belarus’ position on Ukraine is unchanged

MINSK: Belarus’ position on the developments in Ukraine remains the same, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on 12 March at a session of the Security Council to review the preliminary results of the first phase of the snap inspection of the combat readiness of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus, BelTA learned.

“I would like to say a couple of words about the situation that bothers our government and people. This matter is broadly covered by mass media, from reports about the situation to attempts to provoke Lukashenko to speak and voice his position on the developments in Ukraine,” the President said.

“I would like to say that those who closely follow the developments will not make attempts like that, because we announced our position at the outset. This is a consolidated and single position. More than that, the Foreign Minister was instructed to let the international community and foreign governments know about our position. This instruction was fulfilled. Our position remains unchanged,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

“Of course, we are concerned about the ongoing developments in Ukraine. Ukraine is an allied country, a brotherly nation. Honestly, the people of Ukraine do not deserve the things that are happening with them and their country. It is a heroic nation; the overwhelming majority of Ukrainians fought against fascism; we were together in the last war and we won that war. Therefore, taking into consideration our common historical background, our position is unambiguous,” the Belarusian head of state said.

The trade between Belarus and Ukraine has neared $7 billion. “This demonstrates the closest economic ties between Belarus and Ukraine,” the President said.

“I can ask a rhetorical question: what country and what government would not be concerned by this kind of developments in a neighboring state considering the close ties between them? Of course we are concerned,” the Belarusian leader added.