Khrenin warned Belarus’ neighbours against provocations: we don’t want to fight, but in case of aggression the answer will be tough

The Telegram channel of the Belarusian Defence Ministry distributed a statement by Belarus’ Defence Minister, Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin:

We record that our neighbours (Ukrainians) are concerned today that aggressive actions may be carried out by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus. We are talking about the ongoing false information about an allegedly preparing attack on our part.

Our answer to this was and remains the same: do not provoke us – we are not going to fight with you. We do not want to fight either with the Lithuanians, or with the Poles, and even more so with the Ukrainians. If you do not want to and will not take the wrong steps, then there will be no war.

Our plans are defence plans: in case we’re attacked, if at least one metre of Belarusian land is subjected to aggression.

As was said by the Commander-in-Chief, the response will be immediate and harsh. Therefore, we once again warn against provocations. You don’t want war with us, and we don’t want it either.

For the Belarusians, I want to say using the words of the President: ‘The situation today is not so aggravated for us as to panic. Everyone should continue doing their job. The Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus will do everything to ensure security’.