Lukashenko is ready to fight on the side of the Russian Federation and gather an army of 500,000 people

Alexander Lukashenko, self-proclaimed president of Belarus, spoke on the conditions under which the Belarusian army will join Russia’s war against Ukraine.

He stated this during a press conference with foreign and Belarusian media.

Answering journalists’ questions about his participation in the aggression against Ukraine, Lukashenko said that he considers it a defense of the interests of the Russian Federation.

“I am ready to fight together with the Russians from the territory of Belarus only in one case: if at least one soldier from there (from Ukraine, – ed.) comes to the territory of Belarus to kill my people. If they commit aggression against Belarus, the response will be harsh. And the war will have a completely different character,” Lukashenko stated as per “Pul Pervogo” Telegram channel.

He also emphasized that Belarus and Russia are allies and have a shared grouping of troops. Therefore, according to Lukashenko, Belarus is now “ensuring security in the western direction.” He also accused the West of trying to drag Belarus into the war.

“In the West, they want us to go there. And not only there. Preferably to Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. But we will go only in one case. So far, I don’t see any other option. I have an important task – I have to ensure the security of the country,” Lukashenko said.

He also stated that in peacetime, the Belarusian army numbers 75,000 soldiers, but if necessary, its number can be increased to 500,000 soldiers.

“We have not announced any mobilization, and we are not going to conduct or announce it. We are preparing for war to prevent aggression against us. That’s all. Belarusians can absolutely be calm in this regard,” Lukashenko noted.

On February 1, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus reported that the Belarusian military commissioned the Iskander SRBM, which they received from the Russian Federation.

In addition, Russian military personnel is constantly present on the territory of Belarus, either participating in joint exercises or involved in the formation of a joint grouping of Russian and Belarusian troops.

Additionally, the transfer of military equipment and personnel across the territory of Belarus is periodically recorded. Now, Russia brings in and out of the neighboring state its military, weapons, and equipment. Also, Russian planes use Belarusian airfields.