OUR Belarus will create a new detachment of volunteers to defend its territory, so that everyone can learn “handling weapons”, be able to respond in case of an attack on the country and help maintain public order in peacetime, the President of Belarus said on Monday Alexander Lukashenko.

“The situation is not easy. I have said more than once: every man, and not only every man, should at least be able to handle weapons,” the head of state said at a meeting of the National Security Council under the government. “At least to be able to protect in case needs their family, their home, their land and, if necessary, their homeland,” he added.

Alexander Lukashenko, who allowed Russia to use Belarusian territory when it invaded Ukraine almost a year ago, has repeatedly said that his armed forces would only go to war if the country was attacked. He also concluded that the “experience” in Ukraine shows the need to strengthen the defense of Belarus. “If we are attacked, the response will be quick, tough and adequate,” he assured.

Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin specified that the volunteer detachment would consist of 100,000-150,000 people, adding that if necessary, its personnel would be increased. The plan is to provide training in every village and town, he added.

According to the report of the International Institute for Strategic Studies “Military Balance 2022”, there are about 48,000 people in the professional army of Belarus, and about 12,000 people in the border service.

Western exile Alexander Lukashenko, who ruled Belarus for 28 years, is politically and economically dependent on Russia. The support of Russian President Vladimir Putin allowed him to suppress the massive anti-government protests of 2020.

This confidence raises fears in Kyiv that Moscow could pressure Minsk to join a new ground offensive, opening a new front in the war.

“Elements of the Cold War, the arms race and nuclear blackmail of the leaders of some Western states have returned to the current international agenda,” the Belarusian leader said yesterday.

The European Union, the United States and some other countries have imposed tough sanctions on the former Soviet republic for supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine.

^{According to REUTERS}