On Tuesday, a group of the European Parliament (EP) members wrote to EU leaders, urging them to consider the threat to Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, and entire Europe, posed by the presence of Russian military forces in Belarus.
“We would like to voice our deep concerns that the recent deployment of Russian troops in Belarus poses a threat to Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and the whole Europe,” read the letter signed by 77 MEPs.
“It may also be a part of the ultimate plan to subjugate and occupy Belarus,” it added. “The continued presence of Russian military forces at the request of the illegitimate Lukashenko regime should be treated as an occupation of Belarus. This must be made absolutely clear during the ongoing US and EU talks with Russia.”
According to the letter, “any diplomatic decision to deter possible Russian aggression against Ukraine must envisage an independent and democratic future for Belarus, not at its expense”.
The letter was sent to EP President Roberta Metsola, President of the European Council Charles Michel, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, said MEP and one of the signatories Petras Auštrevičius.
“In public, the Kremlin has set its sight on Ukraine but acts on other fronts as well. In my opinion, even more dangerous manoeuvres are taking place in Belarus than those near the Ukrainian border,” Auštrevičius said.
“By taking advantage of the long-dependent partner Lukashenko, a Russian military contingent has entered Belarus. It means a potential destruction of the remaining sovereignty of Belarus,” he added.
Russia has recently massed over 100,000 troops near its border with Ukraine, and the West are increasingly worried about a possible conflict in Europe.
The latest joint Russian-Belarusian military drills are also raising concern. According to some security experts, they might lead to permanent deployment of Russian forces, both conventional and nuclear, in Belarus.
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