Worst-case scenario: Russia may call on Belarus to perform military obligations - expert


Anakonda-2016, a large-scale military exercise which began in Poland on June 7, is sort of a ‘chain reaction’, military expert Alyaksandr Alesin believes.

In his opinion, the recent developments in Ukraine scared the European community, particularly Russia’s neighbours, which started to seek more security guarantees from NATO.

The exercises are aimed at assuring the publicity that NATO will protect them from Russia, but they may lead to the worsening of mutual relations, Alesin warns.

He recalls that Russia is forming new divisions in the western direction and pulling its troops to the borders with Belarus, which cannot but raise the other side’s concerns. The West has launched a military game, and tension is growing. An outbreak of hostilities would be the worst scenario, he said.

Russia is unlikely to directly wage war against the Baltic countries or Poland. But these countries, as well as Belarus, might be drawn into a confrontation between the great powers – the USA and Russia. In this case, they will find themselves in a zone between countries that are at war, Alesin suggests.

According to the expert, Belarus may face a political retreat. If the West-Russia relations continue to aggravate, Russia will call on its ally Belarus to perform military obligations in accordance with all the agreements, i.e. deploying troops in its territory, more active participation in military preparations, etc, which would immediately result in deterioration between Belarus and the West.

As reported earlier, Belarusian president Alyaksandr Lukashenka said on Tuesday that Belarus is ‘adequately responding’ to NATO reinforcement near the borders of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.

Read also: ‘Appropriate steps’ needed as response to NATO actions near Belarus border – Deputy FM

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