Strengthening the Borders of the Union State

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has approved a new plan specifying the engagement of the Regional Joint Force of Belarus and Russia for consideration of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.

The plan, which will stay in effect for the next five-year term, was submitted to the President by Belarusian Defenсe Minister Andrei Ravkov. The President asked to what extent the new trends and changes in the situation around Belarus were taken into account. According to Alexander Lukashenko, the plan should be considered in the context of mutual relations in the post-Soviet area where three major integration associations exist (the Commonwealth of Independent States, the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Union State of Belarus and Russia). The situation in neighbouring countries should be borne in mind as well. “Everybody knows what’s happening in Ukraine,” said Alexander Lukashenko. “We cannot but take it into account,” he added. He said that Belarus had to take into account the situation in Ukraine and the flow of illegal immigrants and weapons.

The President drew attention to what is going on near Belarusian western borders where NATO forces are being reinforced, in particular, the air force and the ground force. “We are aware of that, too. We know about the expansion of the US missile defence system in the West. We know about some plans concerning nuclear weapons. We will have to bear all these factors in mind,” said the President.

As was reported to the President, the plan takes into account changes in the external situation as much as possible. Apart from that, Alexander Lukashenko was made familiar with how Belarusian interests and approaches are represented in the organisation, development and engagement of the Regional Joint Force. The President was also informed about the changes proposed by Russia.

The new five-year plan will have to be approved by a session of the Supreme State Council to be presided by the Belarus President. The plan’s approval will be one of the key issues on the agenda. The plan is expected to come into force in January 2016.