On February 9, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia initiated the risk reduction mechanism of the OSCE Vienna Document with regard to Belarus, reported by Radio Liberty correspondent Rikard Jozwiak.
Within the next 48 hours, representatives of the Belarusian authorities in the OSCE should provide additional clarifications to the member countries of the organization with regard to the military activity in Belarus.
Then, at the invitation of Minsk, the representatives of the OSCE member-states may visit the areas of exercises and deployment of Russian troops. In the history of the OSCE there has never been a precedent when such voluntary invitations were not made in the case of the other member countries’ concerns, reports the analytical center “iSANS Belarus”.
“However, the current crisis in relations with the West and Lukashenka’s desire to further escalate the situation on the border with the Baltic States may well result in his refusal to organize such a mission. Such actions can be regarded as indirect confirmation of preparations for an offensive military operation from the territory of Belarus — both against NATO countries and against Ukraine,” the experts of the center believe.
Russian troops have been arriving at Belarus since January. Officially, it was done for the drill, which will take place from February 10 to 20. But the West and Ukraine see them as a threat. It is also stated that the number of participants in the exercise on the Russian side may reach 30 thousand troops.
belsat.eu
