Harare- Russia is capable of going it alone with its special military operation in Ukraine, but if a call for support comes, Belarus stands ready to assist, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday.
Lukashenko, a strong Putin ally, said this in response to a question on whether his country would step up to the plate if a call for military assistance came from Russia.
While Belarus has not committed any boots on the ground, so far it has allowed Russia use of its territory to launch its missiles into Ukraine.
On top of that, Russian and Belarusian forces held joint military drills in Belarus this month
And, speaking through a translator, Lukashenko said; “The Russian federation does not need any help or any assistance from any other nation, however if need be if our Russian brothers need help Belarus will always be ready to render such assistance.”
On its part, Zimbabwe has said it is in favour of a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Late last year, Lukashenko ordered Belarusian troops to deploy with Russian forces near northern Ukraine in response to what he said was a clear threat to Belarus from Kyiv and its backers in the West.
“Strikes on the territory of Belarus are not just being discussed in Ukraine today, but are also being planned.
“We have been preparing for this for decades. If necessary, we will respond,” Lukashenko said then.
Lukashenko is in Harare on a 3-day State visit.
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