Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: We will respond if Ukraine continues escalation against Belarus

MINSK, 17 March (BelTA) – The Belarusian side will be forced to respond if Ukraine continues escalation against Belarus. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement in an interview with the Japanese TV channel TBS on 17 March, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “If only Ukraine continues escalation against Belarus, we will respond. What I mean: at the moment of the conflict on 23-24 [February] they intended to deliver a strike against Belarus’ territory. I’ve talked about it. From four positions. We prevented it. They violate our state border with flying vehicles, a helicopter, and so on.”

The head of state said: “Moreover, they launched two missiles this past week. At least two Tochka-U missiles into Belarus’ territory. Fortunately, we’ve managed to shoot them down. This is why if they provoke us constantly, we will be forced to respond.”

BelTA reported earlier that Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko met with top officials and operatives of state security agencies on 15 March. During the meeting Aleksandr Lukashenko mentioned that a Tochka-U missile had been intercepted and shot down in the area of the Pripyat River in Belarus’ territory. Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “I’ve been warning you that they are going to push us into this war [in Ukraine]. They are going to try to get us involved in it. The yet another launch of a Tochka-U missile to deliver a strike in Belarus’ territory virtually two days ago at night is a testimony to that. We and Russians successfully intercepted and destroyed it over the Pripyat River. The remains lie somewhere by the river. If someone is interested and nearby, feel free to go there and take a look. It is not a secret. What I am telling you is not fake news. We just didn’t talk about it. We had to figure out what is going on over there.”

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