Belarus Defense Minister: No normalization of military-political situation expected

MINSK, May 22. /TASS/. There will be no trend toward normalization of the military-political situation around Belarus in the medium-term, Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin said.

"The military-political situation in the world and directly around the Republic of Belarus remains tense. And based on the forecast for its development, no trend toward normalization is expected in the medium term. This is primarily due to the aggressive policies of the countries of the collective West, and our closest neighbors in particular," the ministry’s press service quoted him as saying.

On Friday, the annual meeting of the Ministry of Defense, Security Council, and law enforcement agencies of Belarus on the issue Military Security and Defense of the State is taking place in the country.

"Using slogans about the ‘threat from the East,’ they continue to increase military budgets, purchase equipment and weapons, erect fences along our country’s borders, build training grounds, conduct exercises and drills, and lay minefields. With their direct participation, the conflict in Ukraine is also being fueled," Khrenin stated. He added that Minsk understands this and is doing "everything necessary to ensure the Armed Forces remain combat-ready and capable to adequately fulfill assigned missions in the current situation."

"The territorial defense system is also being addressed. Along with the Armed Forces, the experience of modern military conflicts, including the [Russian] special military operation [in Ukraine], is being integrated into the training system of territorial troops. Active work continues to establish a training center for territorial troops in Borisov," the minister added.