Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday asked his government to negotiate the creation of joint military training centers with Moscow’s ally Belarus to support an offensive against Ukraine, AFP reported, citing The Moscow Times.
In a decree issued on Tuesday, Putin instructed Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to negotiate with Minsk on the creation of such centers, without elaborating.
Russia used Belarus as a launching pad for its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, and has stationed troops in Belarus for joint military exercises since October.
But the Belarusian army has not yet fought on the territory of Ukraine.
Minsk claims that the joint military forces planned by Russia and Belarus in October are only “defensive” in nature.
The two countries regularly conduct large-scale military exercises, regularly fueling speculation that the Belarusian military may also launch an assault on Ukraine.
Earlier this month, Moscow and Minsk began joint air force exercises in Belarus, which will last until February 1.
Russia and Belarus have begun a week-long training exercise to train personnel for the joint command of their regional force group, the Belarusian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday, Reuters quoted.
The training is part of preparations for joint exercises that the two countries will organize in Russia in September, the department said.
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Source: Hot News
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