MINSK, October 13. /TASS/. Belarus is currently inspecting its armed forces, but this does not mean it is preparing to attack its neighbors, the republic’s President Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting with senior security officials.
He also disavowed Latvia’s accusations alleging that an armed group from Belarus had infiltrated the Baltic state.
TASS has compiled the key statements from the Belarusian leader.
Measures to avoid war
Belarus is currently inspecting its armed forces, but this does not mean preparations for an attack on its neighbors, Lukashenko stated: "I have said candidly and honestly that we are preparing for war in order to avoid that [scenario]. And we are not going to attack anyone, as has been claimed recently by our Western 'friends' in a media campaign alleging that Russia will attack the Baltic states, and Poland too perhaps, from Belarus or alongside Belarus."
Belarus must be prepared for the most negative scenario amid international tensions, he argued: "We must be ready for a scenario that is the most negative for us. And we have calculated these scenarios. But a new bout of aggression must be prevented. Nobody needs that today."
Lukashenko emphasized the need for unity in wartime, not only in the army but also nationwide.
West’s speculation about nukes
Europe is speculating about nuclear arsenals, making nuclear weapons a double-edged sword, Lukashenko argued: "They have been overtly mulling upgrading nuclear capabilities, or a European nuclear shield, as they call it. Nevertheless, given the aggressive plans by certain European countries and their leaders that have been repeatedly announced, it would be more appropriate to talk about a sword in the hands of reckless politicians, not a shield. They must understand and realize that this sword is double-edged. I mean nuclear weapons."
Western lies
The West is spreading false claims about preparations by Russia and Belarus for an attack on the Baltic states, Lukashenko said: "This nonsense [about arrangements toward an attack] which is aimed at us is constantly mounting in the media."
According to the Belarusian leader, the three Baltic states and Poland have been feeding the media rumors about the republic planning an attack, as they need money: "They need money. Neither the three Baltic states, nor former Soviet republics or Poland have enough power to meet their wishes, especially military."
As regards the incident involving an allegedly Belarusian armed group that infiltrated Latvia, it was staged by the Latvian side, Lukashenko insisted: "We are well aware - and I have already been briefed about it - that all that was orchestrated as a media ploy to solicit funds from the European Union by the Latvians themselves. We have no connection whatsoever to this [plot] of military people wearing masks penetrating into their soil and seizing or throwing someone into a group of migrants. No plot could be sillier."