Belarus, Russia to tighten air defense on western border :: Charter'97 :: News

Belarus and Russia will enhance their anti-aircraft defenses on the western border of the Union State, Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko said during a visit to local military proving ground, the Itar-Tass news agency reported from Minsk on Wednesday.

Lukashenko said more air defense troops will be deployed on the western borders of the Russia-Belarus Union, and several Russian S-300 missile systems will be delivered to Belarus.

The redeployment of several battalions of S-300 missile complexes would be stationed "in certain areas, where necessary," the president said.

"The equipment is now to be restored to ideal condition, and repaired, if necessary, which will be done at industrial plants in Russia," Lukashenko said, adding a total of 750 men will be required to service and operate them.

In his view this measure will help Belarus enhance air defenses in the West. "The air defense troops deployed on the western borders protect both Belarus and Russia," he noted.

Referring to the common economic space (CESC) comprising Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine, Lukashenko said the processes of the CESC had slowed down and this year was to show the prospects of this association.

He called the matter of the CESC as "neither hot, nor cold" for Belarus.

"We have solved our problems within the framework of the union of Belarus and Russia, moved further than the common economic space," the Belarussian president said.

According to Lukashenko, Belarus` trade and economic relations with Ukraine are free from any problems, while describing such relations with Kazakhstan as a bit worse, as the cargo transit through Russia`s territory caused expenses making two to three percent of the trade turnover.