Advertisement
Nato denies Belarus claim of military build-up at border
- Earlier, the Belarusian president had said tanks and planes of the 30-nation military alliance had been deployed 15 minutes from the border
- Belarus has been gripped by protests since an August 9 election that incumbent Alexander Lukashenko’s opponents say was rigged
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Nato dismissed on Sunday allegations by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko that it was conducting a military build-up near the country’s western border but said it was closely monitoring the situation following his contested re-election.
Earlier on Sunday Lukashenko said tanks and planes of the 30-nation military alliance had been deployed 15 minutes from the Belarusian border.
“There is no Nato build-up in the region,” Nato spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said in a statement.
Advertisement
“Nato’s multinational presence in the eastern part of the Alliance is not a threat to any country. It is strictly defensive, proportionate, and designed to prevent conflict and preserve peace.”
Advertisement
She said Nato was closely monitoring events in Belarus, which has been gripped by protests since an August 9 election that Lukashenko’s opponents say was rigged, and called for basic freedoms to be respected, including the right to peaceful protest.
The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had told Lukashenko that Moscow was ready to assist Belarus in accordance with a collective military pact if necessary and that external pressure was being applied to the country.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x