Belarus Expresses Readiness to Restore Military Transparency Measures with NATO
Quick Look
Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov stated that Minsk is willing to restore military verification and early warning mechanisms with NATO, provided the alliance shows reciprocal interest in rebuilding security transparency in Eurasia.
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Why It Matters
Existing military dialogue and verification channels within the OSCE and bilateral frameworks were dismantled in recent years.
UN, October 1. /TASS/. Belarus is prepared to restore verification and early warning mechanisms, as well as other military transparency measures, provided NATO countries demonstrate a reciprocal willingness to do so, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov said in an interview with TASS.
"If they are ready to return to certain verification and early warning measures, we will not stand in the way. We would certainly agree to that," Ryzhenkov said when asked about potential practical steps in relations with NATO countries as part of efforts to shape a new security architecture in Eurasia.
According to the Belarusian foreign minister, Minsk did not initiate the dismantling of previously existing channels for dialogue, notification and military restrictions, including those established within the OSCE and through bilateral arrangements.
Ryzhenkov blamed the dismantling of these mechanisms on Western countries, saying they had sought to expand opportunities for weapons deployments and involve more states in the use of strategic weapons.
He also noted that restoring such mechanisms could reduce the risk of military incidents and improve mutual predictability. Even limited early warning and verification measures, he said, would enable the parties to better understand each other's actions and increase confidence that specific steps were not directed against them.
Open Questions
- Will NATO respond to the proposal?
- What specific verification measures are being proposed?
