Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko has convened the Security Council, BelTA has learned.

A number of matters concerning efforts to ensure Belarus' national security are on the agenda.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “Due to the tense situation in the world and directly at our borders, due to the sanctions-fuelled pressure we cannot be absolutely calm and confident in tomorrow. NATO countries persistently pursue an expansionist policy, build up military presence around Belarus, and constantly stage provocative exercises at our borders in addition to taking other actions. They have already gone so far that their military personnel violate the state border. Well, we will clarify it today.”

The president went on saying: “They justify their actions by some threats that allegedly originate from Belarus' territory. The leaders of Poland and the Baltic states accuse Belarus of some mythic aggressive intensions that we've never had and cannot have.” He stated that the leaders of these countries are also whipping up hysteria around the presence of personnel of the private military company (PMC) Wagner in Belarus' territory. “They went as far as to demand their immediate withdrawal from Belarus. At the same time, they themselves are increasing military budgets, amassing large military formations at our border,” he noted. “Everything is simple: neither Poland, nor Lithuania nor other Baltic countries should have a single foreign military officer or soldier on their territory. Only in this case they have the right to protest against the presence of the military from other countries here. Otherwise, these are unreasonable and stupid demands (not even requests and proposals, but demands).”

In addition to that, in April Warsaw announced its decision to suspend its Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Treaty obligations in relation to Belarus, though this is actually the last legally binding international document in the field of arms control. “This is already a dangerous step, and we should keep reminding Poland's leadership about this - so that their decisions will not come back to hurt them,” the Belarusian leader said.

“How should we respond to this? I'm not even talking about the training of our self-exiled opposition on their territory for a military coup in Belarus. I want to warn once again that we will not hesitate to respond. Though, credit where credit is due, our self-exiled opposition members in Poland, Lithuania and especially in Ukraine understand what for they are being used,” the president added.

At the same time Aleksandr Lukashenko stated that Belarus is ready to restore good relations with its neighbors, who cannot be chosen as he says. “However, in response to all our messages we hear only accusations and threats. It means that they don't need any normalization at all,” he pointed out.

In confirmation of what was said and in order to rule out any insinuations, Belarus has invited Poland's representatives to observe the Collective Security Treaty Organization exercise Combat Brotherhood 2023, which will begin in Brest Oblast on 1 September.

In this context the head of state suggested looking into a number of matters relating to efforts to ensure national security.

belta.by