Belarus Insists Troop Deployment With Russia Is ‘Purely Defensive’

Belarus Insists Troop Deployment With Russia Is ‘Purely Defensive’
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko walk during a meeting in Sochi, Russia, on May 23, 2022. Sputnik/Ramil Sitdikov/Kremlin via Reuters
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Belarus’ decision to deploy its forces alongside Russian troops is solely for defensive purposes to protect its borders, the country announced.

Earlier this week, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said the two nations had deployed forces together. However, he did not reveal where the military was deployed. His statement came as a bridge linking Russia to Crimea was bombed, with Moscow blaming the blast on Ukraine.