Belarus has no plans to allow Russia to base troops on its territory, its foreign minister said on Thursday, but could review that if, for example, Poland were to host a permanent US military presence.
Vladimir Makei, in Brussels to press a case for expanded cooperation with the European Union, told reporters that Minsk wanted to reduce tensions in the region and maintain good relations with the West and with its former rulers in Moscow. It felt a US base in Poland would increase regional "mistrust".
Asked if Polish proposals to host a U.S. base amid fears of Russian aggression could prompt Belarus to revise its rejection of any Russian base, Makei said: "I think there will be some reaction to this intention to deploy a new military air base.
"Nothing is impossible ... As of today ... we are not going to deploy new foreign military bases on the territory of Belarus because we would like to contribute to security in our region and we don't want to be a troublemaker.
"So we are not going to deploy right now new military bases. But looking to the future we should take into account the future steps which will be taken by our neighbours."
Makei stressed that Belarus, under Alexander Lukashenko who has been president of the former Soviet republic for 24 years, wanted to keep open "military dialogue" in the region, including maintaining "hot lines" to control tensions.
Belarus was still willing to provide peacekeeping forces to help resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, he said, an offer Lukashenko first made four years ago. A company of about 100 troops was ready and Belarus could send more, Makei said, adding there was new interest among the various parties.
Autor: gf / Źródło: Reuters, TVN24
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: mil.ru